In an era where societal values are rapidly shifting, Prophetess Clara Abudu of the Fon Vivus Church of the Lord, Akure, the Oyo State Capital, has raised a clarion call for Nigerian parents to return to the fundamentals of child discipline.
The prophetess, in a chat with Prime News, expressed deep concern over the growing rate of indiscipline among children across the country, a trend she attributes largely to parental negligence.
According to the seasoned preacher, teacher, and family coach, the rising wave of juvenile misconduct is not a random occurrence but a consequence of parents withdrawing discipline during their children’s developmental years.
Anyone that withdraws discipline from his or her children is leading them to destruction,” Prophetess Abudu stated emphatically.
She pointed out that many parents today shy away from correcting their children, often using their own past struggles and emotional traumas as an excuse. However, she insists that this approach only perpetuates cycles of rebellion and failure.
Children that are not disciplined will not attain the glory of the future,” she warned.
Prophetess Abudu, a mother of three, drew from both personal experience and her professional background as a trained teacher. With two published books to her name, “Vessel Unto Honour” and the newly released “Raising Godly Children”, she has become a vocal advocate for parenting rooted in both love and correction.
Her latest work, Raising Godly Children, is a 58-page guide crafted to help parents navigate the often complex journey of raising morally sound and spiritually grounded children in modern Nigeria. “It took me over a year to put the book together,” she revealed. “What I aim to achieve is for parents to see their children as friends. But that friendship must not eliminate the place of discipline.”
According to Abudu, the book contains seven insightful chapters filled with practical tools and faith-based strategies for nurturing children. It covers topics such as effective communication, understanding individual temperaments, and the balance between affection and authority.
She emphasized the need for parents to build strong emotional connections with their children.
Understand your children,” she advised. “Know what they want, know when you can talk to them and advise them, know when you can bring out the cane. Any child that loves his or her parent will not want to disappoint them.”
In her view, the solution to the country’s moral decline begins at home. She challenged Nigerian parents to reflect on their responsibilities and make deliberate efforts to instill values such as honesty, respect, and self-control in their children from an early age.
The Prophetess also noted the importance of the spiritual dimension in parenting, urging parents to pray with and for their children consistently. “You cannot raise a godly child without the help of God. Discipline must come with prayer and example,” she said.
Prophetess Abudu called on schools, churches, and communities to support parents by reinforcing the values of discipline and integrity. It is not just the job of parents alone, the entire society must rise up to support the family structure, or we risk losing the next generation.”
As the conversation around parenting continues to evolve, voices like Prophetess Abudu’s remind the nation that while love is essential, discipline remains a pillar of purposeful and impactful child-rearing.
