Worried about increasing number of street kids, the three tiers of government have been enjoined to evolve social
security programmes that will protect and provide for emotional poverty ravaging the vulnerable children.
They are also advised to institute Youth Foundation and Awards so as to cater for youth interests, programmes and
scholarships, as well as stimulate creative work, behaviourial
changes and innovative projects.
An education consultant, Dr. Tajudeen Opoola, gave the advice in Oyo town at a public enlightenment programme
organised for youths in Oyo federal constituency.
Opoola lamented how the extended family system which provided the social and emotional security mechanisms for the protection of vulnerable children, had become more and more destabilised.
A family, or a child in distress, he noted cannot lean anymore on the support of the extended family members or neighbourhood.
Opoola attributed some of the factors responsible to include poverty, uncontrolled urbanization, rapid modernisation and the physical dispersion of the family members.
According to him , “our findings revealed that while the health risks do not stop before children, the school drop out is alarming. Due to poverty in its various forms, children lack basic chances for a prosperous future, as child labour in its exploitative form is a common feature, and the violence against children is a huge problem”.
Opoola further observed that until a patent increase in the manifestation of the absence of real development, in terms of the quality of social existence and of social relations of majority of the populace are urgently addressed,curbing crime prevalence will remain an uphill task.
He lamented that crime and insecurity continues to be on the increase,
both in terms of volume and seriousness because the perpetrators allow their hearts, which is an infinite source of intelligence, to be pre-occupied with undesirable thoughts for earthly desires through idleness.
‘’ Many people think that the mind is the most powerful source within us. We’ve been led to believe that the mind is responsible for most of our knowledge and wisdom. When in fact, your heart is much more powerful than your brain, 5,000 times more powerful.
“The electromagnetic energy of the heart has been described as a creative,
connective energy that seems to hold everything together. The life force that flows through the heart is the strongest connecting energy in the entire Universe. This life force energy, strong and constant, functions to allow the heart to pump nutrients to the body and
spiritual energy to nourish the soul.’’
Opoola asserted that ‘’there is a magnificent wisdom within each
individual, an infinite intelligence, that knows just what to do, when
to do it and even how to do it. This infinite intelligence takes care
of us, guides us and flows through our entire being.
“You have, deep within you, a place where your inner wisdom flows in abundance. A wisdom so true that it will never fail you. A wisdom that knows how to return your body to its natural state of balance and inner peace in any given moment. This wisdom is found within your heart”.
