The Vicar and Archdeacon of St. James Anglican Church, Asokoro, Abuja, Ven. Dr. Princewell Onyinyechukwu Ireoba, has called on Nigerians to shun electoral violence, corruption, ritual practices, and other social vices, urging fathers to embrace their God-given responsibility of passing faith and moral values to future generations.

Speaking during the church’s 2026 Father’s Day celebration in Abuja on Sunday, themed “Passing the Baton: Faith from Father to Children,” drawn from Deuteronomy 6:1-9, Ireoba emphasized that the most important duty of fathers is to preserve and transmit faith to their children.

He likened the responsibility to a relay race, where success depends not only on running well but also on effectively handing over the baton to the next generation.

According to him, many societal challenges, including drug abuse, electoral violence, corruption, and other criminal activities, can be traced to failures within the family structure, particularly the inability of parents to model and impart godly values.

“The problem today is that many people are not strong in the Lord. They are living careless lives, and their children see nothing worth emulating in them. We must return to God’s design by holding firmly to our faith and passing it on to our children,” he said.

The cleric also warned against the resurgence of fetish practices, rituals, and idolatry, stressing that fathers must lead by example if society is to experience meaningful transformation.

He noted that the family remains the foundation of both the Church and society, adding that failures in governance, leadership, and public service often originate from failures at home.

Delivering the Father’s Day sermon, Dr. Emmanuel Ohakim, underscored the importance of intentional parenting and faith-based upbringing.

Drawing from Deuteronomy 6:6-7, Ohakim said Moses instructed the fathers of Israel to diligently teach God’s commandments to their children in every aspect of daily life.

He lamented that many fathers are primarily focused on meeting the material needs of their families while neglecting the crucial responsibility of nurturing the spiritual and moral lives of their children.

“The principal duty of a father is not only to provide material needs but also to pass on faith and godly values. We are accountable to God and society for how we raise our children,” he said.

Speaking on nation-building, Ohakim stressed that societal transformation begins in the home, noting that children raised with strong moral and spiritual foundations are less likely to succumb to negative influences.

Chairman of the 2026 Father’s Day Planning Committee, former Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, said fathers must first embody the virtues they seek to instill in their children.

“If we want our children to be honest, we should be honest. If we want them to be godly, we should be godly. If we want them to be peaceful, we should be peaceful. You can only give what you have,” Abe said.

He described Father’s Day as an opportunity for fathers to reflect on their personal values and the importance of passing those values on to future generations.

In his goodwill message, church leaders encouraged fathers to remain steadfast in faith, courageous in leadership, and consistent in demonstrating love, integrity, and responsibility within their families and communities.

Also speaking, Pro-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt and Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, described the theme as timely and relevant.

He said faith remains the greatest inheritance parents can leave for their children, warning that wealth without spiritual foundations often breeds conflict and division.

“Christ passed the baton of faith to us, and we are expected to pass the same baton to our children. Any inheritance that is not built on Christ can lead to crisis and division,” he said.

Ohuabunwa stressed that lasting societal change would only occur when families place God at the center of their lives and consciously transmit values of faith, love, moderation, and responsibility to younger generations.

Veteran journalist and church member, Mr. Nosike Obueni, said the theme highlighted the need for parents to intentionally instill faith, discipline, morality, and patriotism in their children from an early age.

He noted that many of Nigeria’s challenges, including insecurity, corruption, tribalism, and religious intolerance, could be significantly reduced through proper moral upbringing rooted in faith.

Similarly, President of the Christian Men’s Fellowship (CMF), St. James Anglican Church, Asokoro, Mr. Rex Abitogun, emphasized that effective leadership begins at home.

According to him, fathers must pass on the values of integrity, accountability, transparency, and good governance to their children, noting that a better society can only emerge from responsible and godly leadership within families.

The celebration featured special presentations by children, drama performances by the youth, musical renditions by the women and church choir, thanksgiving sessions, and presentations by members of the Men’s Fellowship.

The event attracted worshippers, church leaders, and distinguished guests who joined in celebrating fathers and reaffirming the importance of faith-based family values in building a better society.