A lecturer at the University of Ilorin, Dr Abdulrazak Alaro, on Saturday urged parents to educate their wards on morals and serve as good models to them.

Alaro, who teaches Islamic law at the university, gave the advice in Kaduna in a lecture on "Moral Upbringing in Islam", delivered during the 8th Annual Ramadan Lecture organised by the NTA, FRCN and VON.

He noted that lack of morality and spirituality was eroding basic Islamic values which encouraged support, mutual respect and commitment to one another.

Alaro observed that the break down of the core values had led to the springing up of youths who were immoral, degenerates and a burden to the society.

To arrest what he called the culture of indiscipline and indecency in the society, the university don advised parents to take full responsibility for the training, character moulding and ethical conducts of their children.

He advised them to create time for the children, warning that those waiting for schools and other institutions to mould the character of their children would in the long run regret not being there for them.

Alaro also reminded parents that they would account before God, on their roles in moulding the character of their children, whether good or bad.

A Kano based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Aminu Daurawa, said in his presentation that most parents in the country needed "redemption", as they have completely abandoned their children.

He said that parents must learn to play their parts well, especially in educating their wards, including the girl child, advising and guiding them to become responsible citizens.

Daurawa called for an end to the practice of making students of local Islamic schools to beg, saying it was against Islamic teachings.

"Bring back the almajiris to the classroom because that is where they belong," he admonished.

Daurawa also prayed for peace and unity in the coutry, saying no nation would progress in a chaotic atmosphere.(NAN)