Professor Egwunyenga Says Parents, Guardians Need To Instill Family Values In Children, Wards During Formative Years

By Patrick Ijeh

The Vice Chancellor of Delta State University, Abraka, Professor Andy Ogochukwu Egwunyenga, has emphasized the importance of parents and guardians instilling strong family values in their children and wards during their formative years.

This, he believes, will help them grow into virtuous adults who can uphold and pass on these values to future generations.

The Vice Chancellor made this statement in Abraka on Monday during the University’s 7th Valedictory Lecture titled “Family Values: Redeeming the Lost Virtues for Future Generations” delivered by Professor (Mrs) Diana Oritsegbubemi Arubayi.

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The lecture was part of the celebrations marking her 70th birthday and retirement from Delta State University, Abraka, following thirty-four years of dedicated service as a lecturer.

Prof Egwunyenga thanked the valedictory lecturer for drawing attention to a very crucial issue that is often ignored to the detriment of society and the future generation.

He pointed out that students bring their different family values to the university on admission, which influence them as they acculturize.

He promised that more copies of the valedictory lecture will be made available to students of Delta State University, Abraka, in a bid to strengthen their family values and equip them to become catalysts for positive changes in the society.

The Vice Chancellor praised Prof (Mrs) Arubayi for her amiable personality and monumental contributions to teaching, research, mentorship and administration in the university in different capacities within her thirty-four year service.

He congratulated her on her 70th Birthday and retirement, noting that while professors may officially retire, the knowledge they have generated through research and shared through their lectures will continue to benefit the university community and humanity at large. He also appealed to her to accept the university’s request for her to stay behind for another one year to enable her complete the supervision of her remaining seven Ph.D. students.

In her Valedictory Lecture, Professor (Mrs) Arubayi highlighted that the family, the foundational unit of society, has evolved in form and meaning across generations.

As a Professor of Home Economics, she expressed concern over the current state of family life, noting that children are increasingly displaying chaotic behaviours that signal a troubling and degenerative shift in societal values.

She defined family values as the principles and behavioral standards handed down through generations that shape individual character and foster strong, healthy families.

She further described virtues as the traits, capacities, dispositions, habits, and qualities that reflect moral integrity. Professor (Mrs) Arubayi explained that family values have been profoundly shaped by modern developments, which have encouraged greater individualism, mobility, and reliance on technology.

This shift, she noted, has resulted in more flexible and egalitarian family structures.

She urged families to nurture virtues such as honesty, obedience, respect, kindness, hard work, love, open communication, understanding, responsibility, accountability, and humility.

These qualities, she emphasized, are essential pillars of family values that our contemporary society must preserve and pass on to future generations.

The Valedictory Lecture was attended by the newly appointed Vice Chancellor of Delta State, Prof Samuel Asagba, the Vice Chancellor of Southern Delta University, Ozoro, Prof Snapps Jacob Oboreh, former Vice Chancellor of Delta State University and husband of the valedictory lecturer, Emeritus Prof Eric Arubayi, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof (Mrs) Rosemary Ngozi Okoh, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof Ochuko Anomohanran, former Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof Patrick Okoh, former Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof Roseline Aziza, former Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof Austine Anigala, Provost of Oleh Campus, Prof Elo Ibagere, Registrar of the university, Mrs Rufina Ufuoma Ufiofio, other principal officers, family members and friends of the valedictory lecturer, professors, staff and students.