Bolanle Ambode, wife of the former governor of Lagos and founder of the Hope for Women in Nigeria Initiative (HOFOWEM), has encouraged Nigerian youths to prioritise the realisation of their dreams rather than engaging in intimate relationships that could jeopardise their ambitions.
Ambode gave the advice at the launch of “Let the Child Live”, a book authored by Caroline Oluwadare, a beneficiary of HOFOWEM, in Lagos.
Represented at the occasion by Oyefunke Olayinka, the former first lady emphasised the importance of serving those in need and urged parents to enhance their parenting roles by instilling self-discipline, good moral values, and cautioning against bad influences in their children.
“Early in our children’s lives, we must impart self-discipline, good moral values, and constant admonition against waywardness and bad peer groups. Above all, we must raise them in the way of God, with constant prayers for divine wisdom, guidance, and direction, for them to navigate their lives to success,” Ambode said.
She highlighted that HOFOWEM had provided scholarships to Caroline and three other promising youths, all of whom graduated with
First Class Honours. “HOFOWEM is proud of you all, and I am indeed very proud of you all too,” she added.
Oluwadare, author, in her address, noted that the book was intended to be a platform for creating awareness among teenagers and youths, on sexual abstinence and effective ways of handling teenage pregnancy, which she described as a major social plague.
She said: “The essence of today’s event extends beyond the immediate activities at this book launch. It is about long-term impact on society, achieving our SDG, Goals 1, 3, and 10; zero hunger, good health and well-being, and reduced inequality. It is about looking at the bigger picture, away from our mistakes and away from the present, which oftentimes seems hopeless and limiting”.
