Mrs. Abimbola Fashola (R) presenting an Award to Pa and Mrs M. Durosimi (L) during the 2010 Family Day Celebration.
Mrs. Abimbola Fashola (M) cutting the anniversary cake with the Award Winners during the 2010 Family Day Celebration.Jul 13, 2010 - 2010 Family Day Celebration
Today, we join the rest of the world in celebrating this year's International Family Day, a day set aside by the United Nations General Assembly 17 years ago to celebrate the family institution and also create awareness on the need to promote strong family ties in our society.
The family as we all know is the smallest unit that makes a community, society, nation and the world. Every child is a product of a family in which the foundation of his or her behavior, character and attitude is laid. If this is true, then we will be right to say that the breakdown in the value system including lack of decency, corruption, drug abuse and so on which are common social vices in our society today is as a result of the failure in the family institution.
Although it is true that the economic situation and the desire to make ends meet have continued to put a lot of pressure on the family yet, it cannot be an acceptable excuse for parents to neglect their primary responsibility of giving proper care and upbringing to their children who are the leaders of tomorrow. The price that we pay for this neglect is rightly summarized in the popular Yoruba saying that a child that is not properly brought up will grow up to squander all the wealth that have been acquired by his or her parents.
I believe it is time for us to rebuild the family institution and strengthen it to guarantee a better future. The current efforts at rebranding and general re-orientation will achieve the desired result only if we place serious emphasis on the family.
The theme for this year's celebration, "The impact of Migration on Families around the World" is very apt as it focuses on one of the key factors affecting the family institution particularly in developing countries. One very clear effect of migration either in the form of people moving from rural to urban areas or from one country to another in search of better standard of living is the weakening of family social ties, loss of control and inability to be there for one another in times of need.
Even though migration is part of human existence and therefore must continue to exist, we can do a lot to control it and by so doing reduce its effects on family ties and relationships. We can achieve this by ensuring even development through the provision of basic social infrastructure as well as creating opportunities in the rural and less developed areas and communities. In this way, more people will be encouraged to stay and earn their living in their local communities and therefore maintain a strong bond with their families.
On a final note, let me say once again that keeping family ties is very important for us to have a peaceful, safe and caring society. It is an essential aspect of our culture that we must not allow civilization or modernization take away from us.
I congratulate everyone here today for being part of this celebration. I also commend the Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth, sports and Social Development, Dr. Dolapo Badru and members of his team for putting this event together.
Thank you and God bless you all.
Eko oni baje o.
Her Excellency
Mrs. Abimbola Fashola
First Lady of Lagos State