By Taiwo Akinlami
The North American Power Tour, an initiative of the Power Parenting® Company and hosted by the Nigerians In Diaspora Organization (Nido) and The African, Columbus held in Columbus, Ohio, United States of America on Friday, March 11 and Saturday, March 12, 2022.
The program, which theme is The Pop Culture Weights: What Parents Must Know and Master in a Rapidly Changing World, was well attended by people of African and American nationalities like Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Kenyan, United States of America.
Taiwo Akinlami, Chief Executive Officer of the Power Parenting Company LLC, who led the conversation for the day opened the day focusing on the infinite opportunities and inherent challenges with raising children in the 21st century first world nations, particularly as African and people of African descent, residing in North America.
Pop Culture
The influence of pop culture on our precious youngsters in their formative years when it comes to inculcating ideas, ideals and ideologies was extensively discussed. The uncanny power of technology, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the new and social media as the drivers of pop culture was emphasized as a phenomenon parents need to pay keen attention to in their relationships with their children.
Social Media
It was stressed that control of the access of children to the new and social media through parental control applications, may be considered but must not be relied upon as the final solution noting that building genuine relationship with children and exemplifying positive value system to them is still the most viable way of preparing them for the enormous opportunities and the seemingly insurmountable challenges of the digitalized 21st Century. It was submitted that rules without relationship will lead to rebellion, as Josh MacDowell had argued. Parents were encouraged to understand their core beliefs and how to effectively communicate the same to their precious children.
The facilitators admonished parents to see parenting as a nation building commitment as they raise globally aware children, who are also conscious of their identity and heritage as a tool of relevance in an increasingly competitive world.
Behavioral Outcome
Conversations were also led on the error of focusing the education of children wholly on learning outcome, neglecting behavioral outcome. It was submitted that behavioral outcomes, which are undergirded by positive value system are of more relevance in life and career, as research has shown. Parents were advised to pay more attention to behavioral outcomes of their children.
Participants
Participants at the meeting expressed profound satisfaction for participating in the program and some of them shared their experiences. Mrs. Teresa Edoja stated, ‘thanks for your service to our community.
“All African Parents need to listen to your presentation. You bring to light what all Africans talk about but are not open about discussing in an open forum. It’s a discussion that need to spread like wildfire to rescue our children and parents. God bless you for all you do.’
As for Dr. Lovette Chinwah-Adegbola, ‘I’m glad I was able to attend. The program was as insightful as it was enjoyable.’
Ms. Keshia Dieng opined, ‘It was a pleasure to come, and I enjoyed the program. I look forward to attending future events.’
‘It was a commendable session, I enjoyed every minute of it, and you bet everyone in that room did! Well done,’ submitted Mrs. Morenike Olaoye.
The program holds again online next month and will move to other part of the United States and north American countries.
The Power Parenting® Company LLC promotes Parenting Education as a social transformation and nation-building instrument to help African parents including parents of Africa descent everywhere raise children, aware and conscious of their identity and uniqueness, well rounded in the knowledge of their cultural heritage and globally compliant, capable of interpreting and defining their role and stake in everyday issues of contemporary life, at the highest level possible as global citizens. It is in the pursuit of this mission that the Power Parenting® Company LLC embarked on the North American Power Tour.
Meanwhile, a Town Hall meeting with the theme “No Protection No Childhood” will hold on Saturday, March 19, 2022, to examine cases filed by students against schools in Africa, particularly Nigeria and North America, particularly, the United States of America, expected to inspire the System’s Approach to protection as primary or secondary parents.
The Panelists include Quan Angelic ABAZIE, United States Decorated Army Veteran, Published Author and International Board Member for Empower Our Youth Foundation against bullying, Stanley IBE,
International Hunan Rights Lawyer, Researcher, Attorney at the Open Society Justice Initiative in Nigeria, and Taiwo AkinlamI, S.A.F. E®️ for Children (Child Protection) ETHICIST, Parenting Educator, Co-Founder, S.A.F. E®️ Children Society, while it will be moderated by Queenette Enilama, Educational Consultant.
Partiicipants can register on http://bit.ly/NPNCTownhallmeeting2 and join the meeting directly via this link: http://bit.ly/3tOTMHh
Meeting ID: 818 7011 3256
Passcode: 675778
(Taiwo Akinlami Is Co-Founder & Ceo, Power Parenting LLC)
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