A Better World Starts from Family

In the bustling heart of Port Harcourt, there lived Chief Duru a wealthy contractor who was hard to miss with his extravagant lifestyle, booming laughter, and those notorious fat brown envelopes that seemed to magically appear under tables. He was known for constructing houses, roads, and bridges, but let’s just say the quality left much to be desired. Cutting corners, inflating budgets, and greasing the palms of auditors were his specialties. While his compound boasted three luxury cars, the schools in his village were left with gaping holes where roofs should have been.

His motto was straightforward: “Make money, even if the world burns.”

At home, he ruled like a king. His children watched in awe as money flowed in like magic, no questions asked. His eldest son, Ebuka, was always by his side sharp-eyed, quiet, and ever-observant.

One day, Ebuka mustered the courage to ask, “Papa, isn’t it wrong to cheat people?”

Chief Duru erupted in laughter, giving his son a hearty slap on the back. “My boy, in this country, it’s the cleverest who come out on top. Morals won’t fill your belly. You’ve got to learn the game!” And so he did.

As the years rolled by, Ebuka grew up, went off to university, and quickly became “popular” though not for the right reasons. He dabbled in scams, manipulated his professors, and formed a gang that extorted money from fellow students. He was admired for his flashy wardrobe and feared for his ruthless tactics.

Once, he caught a friend cheating on an exam and blackmailed him for months.

When confronted, Ebuka would simply smile and say, “Life isn’t fair. I’m just playing my part.”

One day, a lecturer who recognized his father remarked, “You’re just a shadow of your father. But remember shadows don’t last in the dark.”

Ebuka brushed him off.

After graduation, he dove into politics. In just a few years, he climbed the ranks to become a local government chairman. Following in his father’s footsteps, he began awarding fake contracts, siphoning off school funds, and silencing anyone who dared to ask too many questions.

Potholes grew deeper. Market women lost their stalls. The youth became increasingly disillusioned.
He had certainly learned well from home.
But corruption has a way of coming full circle.

On a dreary, rainy day, a shoddily constructed bridge gave way, tragically taking the lives of seven schoolchildren on a bus. This bridge was one of Ebuka’s so-called “completed” projects.

As protests erupted and reporters chased after him, Ebuka remained silent, haunted by the echo of his father's words: "The smartest man wins." But this time, there was no laughter to be found.

His fall from grace was rapid.
And society was left with deep wounds

Morals:
A parent's character isn't just a personal choice; it's a seed. What we nurture at home doesn't stay confined to the living room. It flourishes in our children and spreads out into the streets, schools and the government. The truth is clear, if a family is corrupt, it’s a sign that society is already suffering.

Rules for raising kids:

1. They are smarter than you think, they process more than you imagine and they imitate everything you do. Be mindful of that with every action.

2. Hug them, kiss them good night and tell them you love them every day.

3. Don’t expect school to be their only form of learning, show them how to fix the car, how to fish, how to survive in the wild, how to get back home.

4. Teach them the importance of respecting Veterans and to never forget the sacrifice they made.

5. Don’t wrap them in cotton wool, they will hurt themselves they will get in a fight, they will fall of their bike. But it’s all apart of that learning experience.

6. Let them try to solve the problem first. Don’t constantly give them the easy way out or solution straight away.

7. Please when they want something, thank you when they receive. Basic manners can go a long way.

8. Let them spend as much time as possible with their grandparents. Because you know what you would do for one more day with yours.

9. Sort out your schedule so they are your priorities. Work around spending time with them.

10. Be all in with their interests. If it’s monster trucks, Barbie, PlayStation or Pokémon cards. Get involved. Show your excitement and live in their world.

11. Have at least one day a month totally dedicated to them. Beach day, boat trip, hiking, theme park and leave your phone at home.

12. Let them be present in the age they are at. Don’t expect your 3 year old to be as disciplined as your 6 year old. Have patience.

13. Discipline only works if you follow through. But they only learn the lesson if you sit down and explain. Be calm in your approach.

14. Show them your emotions. You don’t need to hide them. Celebrate your wins, explain your losses, sadness or fears

15. Just be a better parent than the one you were yesterday. Work together, don’t compete against each other and never put the kids between your issues. They come first always.

Hello parents,
No matter the economic challenges, prioritize your children, observe them closely, ask questions about their daily routine, discipline them because, they're your life savings.

What you produce in your family is the reflection of your Society.

(SEE THIS SHORT ILLUSTRATION)
👇🏾
The Seed and the Tree

In a quiet town, there was a massive tree that provided shade, fruits, and shelter to everyone. One day, a young boy named Jide asked the village elder, “How did this tree grow so big and strong?”

The elder smiled and said, “It started as a small seed, nurtured by the soil, watered by the rain, and protected by the roots beneath it.”

He continued, “A family is like the soil, If it is rich in love, discipline, and wisdom, the seed grows into a strong tree. But if the soil is dry, full of neglect, hatred, or ignorance, the tree grows weak, and society suffers.”

Jide looked around at his town some families raised children with care and they became leaders, healers and builders. Others neglected their young children, and they became thieves, liars and destroyers.

The elder placed a hand on Jide’s shoulder and said, "A strong world is built from strong families". If we raise our children well, we will never fear the future.

Come let's conquer it in the family, the society will be a greater place to live