The Osile of Oke Ona Egba, Abeokuta, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, has identified a shift in the fear of God, as well as a lack of strong religious teachings across schools, as one of the major factors fuelling moral decadence and various vices in society, particularly among youths.
The royal father said it is sad to see young people getting involved in questionable activities due to a lack of fear of God.
Oba Tejuoso disclosed that the influence of both Biblical and Quranic teachings in the formative years of a child cannot be overemphasised, urging the government to ensure that religious teachings are prioritised across primary and secondary schools.
He recalled that in the 1970s and early 1980s, strong religious studies laced with character education were taught in schools, a practice he said instilled the fear of God and improved moral conduct among young people.
The royal father regretted that the suspension of these teachings in later years has negatively affected moral upbringing, leading to increased misconduct and social vices among youths today.
“Recently some group of people came to visit me and said that there is need to hold a summit to find a way out of the unruly behavior of students nowadays, that most of them are beating their teachers and getting involved in all manner of unpleasant and strange behaviors that were in time past not associated with people of their age,” Oba Tejuoso said.
“I however said that one of the contributory factors to this problem is the lack of strong Biblical and Quranic teachings, such as we used to have in the past across our schools. There was a time the government put a stop to these teachings and once there is no fear of God, people can do anything.”
Oba Tejuoso said that no amount of summit could address the growing decline in values unless people are reoriented to embrace the fear of God, which he described as the foundation of wisdom.
He disclosed that he would be organising a 37-hour marathon praise session to return all glory to God as he celebrates 37 years on the throne. The event begins by 8 a.m. on Saturday at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, till 9 p.m. on Sunday, May 17.
Speaking on the nation’s political atmosphere ahead of the 2027 general elections, Oba Tejuoso urged political parties to allow the will of the people to prevail at the polls, warning against imposition, vote manipulation, and other forms of electoral malpractice.
