Jacob BABALOLA (Staff Writer)

The Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan on Wednesday 1st October 2025 held an Annual Parents/Youths Forum, 2025 edition at the Church of the Ascension, Bodija, Ibadan with a call on both parents and children to play their respective roles responsibly for a better society.

This year’s forum that was held on the same day the Catholic Church in Nigeria celebrated the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Patroness of Nigeria and at the same time the 65th Independence Anniversary of Nigeria, started with the celebration of a Holy Mass that had the Archbishop, Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin, represented by the Assistant Secretary to the Archbishop, Rev. Fr. Anthony Fasakin as the Chief Celebrant. Concelebrating were the CYON’s Chaplain/Secretary to the Archbishop, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Eseola; Rev. Fr. Cyprian Nnamdi and the Guest Speaker for the day, Rev. Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke.

The topic for discussion was: “Internet as a Tool, not a Master, helping Youths and Parent use digital resources positively.” In attendance were the leaderships and members of Lay Organizations in the Church: CMO, CWO and CYON.

The Chief Celebrant in his homily stated that the Church is never a finished project but a work-in-progress and as such enjoined parents and children to emulate the Holy family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph; who also experienced difficulties and thus take their sufferings as a nation and families to that of Holy family by being parts of the solution rather than complaining and be rest assured that hope never disappoint.

Fr. Fasakin, who is also the Assistant Cathedral Administrator admonished all to play their roles as members of Trinity, made up of fathers, mothers and children in unity to make our world  better. “Love always wants to give out. How much am I sacrificing for the others? Let us go back to the drawing board and think of the way forward. In looking, we treat each other as an object but in seeing, we treat each other with love. We need to listen to one another. Little things we do as parents teach the children how to be moulded.” The cleric stated.

He concluded by admonishing all to devote themselves to praying the Rosary in a world in which social media has created a great divide and learn to instill values in our youths by being of good example. “When we celebrate a saint, it is for us to emulate such saint. Some of the major problems in Nigeria are lack of accountability, transparency and integrity. Let us not adjust to what is wrong but for what is right for the sake of Nigeria that is 65 today.” Fr Fasakin appealed.

The CYON Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Eseola before the close of Mass also encouraged all lay organizations in the Church to do away with the mentality of ‘African Time’ and ensure their programmes commence at the stipulated time, henceforth.

The second part witnessed a huge turn-out of participants such that the Church’s Hall hardly contained all. The Guest speaker likened social media gadgets to a sharp knife used effectively in the kitchen that can also be a weapon that can take life. He agreed that there is need for innovations in life for progress and development but cautioned all about how technology is being used.

Using 1 Cor 6:12 as a Biblical reference, Fr. Ugwochukwu reasoned that there is need to involve God in parenting in this era of cyber-parenting. Parenting in a digital age, according to him goes beyond feeding and schooling of the children but requires also cyber-parenting.

The Guest Speaker enumerated 3Ms roles that parents must embrace: Monitors, Mentors and Models. Making reference to Gen 2:15, the Speaker said parents must know where their children are visually and not physically alone. This he said can be done by setting screen time limits at homes which requires discipline, checking privacy setting and keeping computer devices in common room and not in private room.

As Mentors (Proverb 2:6), the Speaker said it is not enough to say ‘don’t do this’ but that it is the parents’ responsibility to share good apps/websites to their children.

On being Models (1 Cor 11:4), the speaker said parents need to be careful of what they do before their children because children copy everything they see, both physically and on media. He added that it is not enough for parents to give their children all they need but to be present with them as well.

Fr. Ugwochukwu gave the advantages of internet to include accessibility to knowledge, opportunities to earn from digital skills, connectivity and faith support (as many Christians Apps now enhance faith).

Equally, he listed the disadvantages of internet to include addiction, comparison and depression, exposure to immorality and loss of focus. The Guest Speaker warned that AI tools must not replace man’s thinking. That AI tools is making many to be consumers rather than being producers. He added that Christ became incarnate to have relationship with man and therefore proffered the following practical steps: having family digital covenant, teaching children faith before phone, sharing activities as family, and passing values because online life is not hidden before God.

There was question and answer session during the forum while the leaderships of the lay organizations and individuals in attendance also contributed their views.

The Dean of Bodija Deanery, Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Akinbinu also admonished all on the need to be responsible and discipline when using AI tools because whatever is posted today can be brought out years to come.

There was cutting of cake, eating and dancing. The organizer appreciated all the participants, Guest Speaker and the Chief Host, the Archbishop; represented by Rev. Fr. Anthony Fasakin.

In his closing remarks, the Archbishop’s representative appreciated the organizer, the Guest Speaker, participants and the Host parish and urged all to take the lessons learnt to their respective parishes.