In a powerful gathering focused on the future, religious leaders, educators, and child development advocates have issued a clarion call to Nigerian youth: transcend societal limitations and momentary distractions to realize your inherent, divine potential. The message, delivered at the 2025 Annual Love Feast for Children in Abuja, framed a vision of nurturing “global stars” from the grassroots up.
The event, organized by the Fruitful Welfare Initiative for Women and Children, served as more than a celebration; it was a strategic mentorship platform. It brought together children and teenagers from the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa State, emphasizing that holistic success requires a dual foundation of spiritual depth and academic excellence. This approach recognizes that in a competitive global landscape, character and purpose are as critical as credentials.
A pivotal moment was the unveiling of four purpose-driven books by Dr. Monisola Fadoju, the Initiative’s Executive Director. These aren’t mere stories but toolkits for transformation: I Am Uniquely Unique (combating comparison and building self-worth), The Escape Route (navigating peer pressure and negative influences), The Eagle’s Traits: Biblical Lessons for Spiritual Growth (developing resilience and a higher perspective), and You Are a Star (activating latent potential). Together, they provide a roadmap for a purpose-driven life, addressing the core identity crises many young people face.
The clerics’ messages moved beyond abstract encouragement, offering concrete mental and spiritual frameworks. Pastor Michael Adebayo powerfully challenged children to reject societal labels of failure. “You were created to lead, dominate, and break records,” he asserted, reframing their self-perception from passive learners to active architects of their future. His “landlord and tenant” analogy was a masterclass in spiritual psychology: he taught children to see their minds and bodies as sovereign territory (the “temple”) where negative thoughts and influences have no legal right to reside. This empowers them to actively “evict” doubt, fear, and destructive habits.
He further emphasized spiritual nutrition, drawing a direct parallel to physical development. Just as a child needs milk for physical growth, consistent engagement with positive, faith-based principles is essential for developing strong moral fiber, ethical discernment, and internal resilience. This counters the often-toxic “fast food” of social media and instant gratification culture.
Dr. Eunice Ogundipe, a guest speaker, connected internal light to external impact, urging children to “let their light shine” through excellence in their chosen paths—be it science, arts, or entrepreneurship. Crucially, she addressed parents, highlighting that modeling integrity and discipline is more impactful than preaching it. Children are astute observers; they emulate behaviors more than they obey admonitions.
Echoing this, Pastor James Toriola described children as “the pillars and future of society,” framing discipline not as a punishment but as the investment required for lasting achievement. Elder Adewale Owolo provided historical context, citing biblical figures like David (who honed his skills in obscurity) and Josiah (who led a nation as a youth) to demonstrate that hard work, perseverance, and prayer are timeless, non-negotiable ingredients for greatness.
The convener, Dr. Monisola Fadoju, revealed the long-term vision behind the gathering. With over 20 years of operation, the initiative represents a sustained commitment to child nurture, evolving from a small fellowship into a significant movement. Her literary and programmatic work aims to raise a generation that is both spiritually grounded and globally competitive—prepared to excel not in spite of their challenges, but often because of the strength forged through them.
Mr. Olatunji Fadoju added a poignant note on stewardship, calling children “scarce gifts from God” who require protection from corrosive societal influences. He advocated for early leadership training, not as a burden, but as a means of unlocking their God-given blueprint. His final encouragement was a holistic charge: to anchor their identity in a steadfast faith, which in turn provides the stability to thrive academically and socially on the world stage.
Ultimately, this event transcended a simple motivational talk. It presented a cohesive philosophy for child development: Identity + Authority + Discipline + Nurture = Global Impact. It reminded all stakeholders—children, parents, and mentors—that raising stars requires creating an ecosystem that values purpose over pleasure, character over shortcuts, and eternal potential over temporary trends.
