Dr. Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu , wife of the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has called on churches to invest massively in children.
She made this call during the ‘Re-Birth’ programme of the Children Evangelism Ministry (CEM) held at the Sheraton Hotel, Lagos on Saturday, September 17.
From Left, Evang Assurance Oluwafemi(Kwara State Director, Evang Idowu Agboola (Oyo State) Evang Taiwo Adeyemi (Ogun State), Evang. Sola Ogunlola( Zonal Director), Lagos First Lady,Dr. Mrs Ibijoke Sanwoolu, Founder CEM, Evang Tony Chukwudile, Evang and Austin Edemai
The first lady, who revealed that she was once a teacher of children and a member of the CEM, noted that the only way children can be saved from the negative influence of the world is for the church to be deliberate in its investment in children’s ministry.
Speaking on ‘the effect of negative media content on a child’s total development’, she lamented that many children are exposed to harmful media content. According to her, the only way to save children is to distract them from the phone and computer.
She said: “I am very happy with the vision of the Children Evangelism Ministry which is to teach a child in the way he should go. Being an alumnus of CEM, I can say that the ministry has been a great blessing to children.
“Unfortunately, things are very difficult for our children today. They are now always on the phone and computer. While we can’t underplay the importance of the phone and the computer, we need to find a way of getting children away from being addicted to these gadgets. Some of them sit for a long time with the computer and phone and thereby compound their health.
“They have free access to a lot of negative media content. Some children are not able to manage some of the information that is thrown their way. They think life is just about those things they watch. We need to get them to do other activities that will take away their attention from the phone.”
Speaking at the event, Secretary General of the Bible Society of Nigeria, Mr. Samuel Sanusi, as well as the Regional Vice President of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International, Mr. Fola Aguda, expressed the readiness of their organisations to collaborate with the CEM in ensuring the proper execution of its programmes.
Deaconess Adefemi Taire, BSN General Secretary, Pastor Samuel Sanusi, Prof Oyefara and Mr Fola Aguda at the event
In his response, the Lagos Zonal Director of the ministry, Evangelist Sola Ogunlola expressed appreciation to Mrs. Sanwo-Olu and other guests for attending the event.
He expressed confidence that with the support of all concerned bodies, the ministry will make more impact in its next phase.