Etop Ekanem
8 November 2009
Lagos — THE Archbishop, Metropolitan See of Lagos, Anthony Cardinal Okogie, has advised Nigerian children to show love to other children no matter the colour of their skin or where they come from.
He also urged them to cultivate the spirit of thanksgiving for every good thing done for them.
Okogie who made these pleas weekend on the occasion of the Missionary Childhood Association rally which was hosted by the Catholic Church of the Ascension, International Airport, Ikeja, urged the children to "always lend a helping hand to the physically-challenged in our society and share whatever you have with them.
"You should try to develop the spirit of friendship and know that Jesus is your friend, we all belong to Jesus. The conclusion is that everybody should be your friend."
According to him, the word, love, as being used today had lost it true meaning, saying: "Jesus loves us, look at how He ended it. He gave his life for us. This is the kind of love that is lacking in our nation today."
He equally blamed parents for not teaching the children how to appreciate any good thing done for them, and urged the parents to show love to their children, adding: "What is the need to ask God for a child when you know that you cannot look after them.
"If you don't show love to that child, that is how that child will grow up to become a nonentity.
"And the same thing is happening in our nation, Nigeria, today. We are not grateful for what God has done for us. We are not grateful for the improvement or progress that has been going on," he said.
About 5000 children from Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos attended the occasion which featured march pass and cultural dances.
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