Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo has said it is the courage to raise a child that makes one a father, and not the ability to father a child.

Osinbajo spoke with State House correspondents on Sunday after celebrating 2019 Fathers’ Day at the Aso Villa Chapel, Abuja.

The vice president attended the service with his mother, Mrs Olubisi Osinbajo, Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha among others.

Osinbajo said:

“It is not the ability to father a child; the ability to have a child that makes you a father; it is the courage to bring up one; ability to raise one.

“That’s what really makes you a father and I think the responsibilities of fatherhood are so many; whether one is a biological father or whether you are one who wants to take care of other children.

“I think that all of us, as men, have a role to play in the life of so many, not just our biological children but so many of them who have no fathers.

“Even to some who have fathers to who we have responsibility to set example to lead exemplary life, to bring them up as the scripture says in the way of the Lord.”

He urged men to love and honour women, adding that woman are not subordinate to men but created equal to them.

Osinbajo said that the responsibility of the father was incredible; adding it was important to teach young men growing up that they must honour all women and not just their wives.

“Of course, you must honour and love your wives; but I think that it is very important that we honour women.

“We don’t treat them as subordinate to us; they are created equal to men.

“But most importantly, we must honour them and recognise their role as partners, not just in families, but in society as well,” he said.

Delivering the sermon, the Chaplain of the Aso Villa Chapel, Rev. Seyi Malomo, advised fathers to be sensitive and avoid any aggression that could harm their families.

Malomo said fathers should lead their children in spiritual exercises like fasting and prayers.

He reminded fathers that their actions had direct implications on their children.

 

NAN