PUBLIC PARENTING By Onyebuchi Odianjo

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This was my first public speech on the 25th September 2016, and I’m humbled to say that after that day, presentations have been wonderful for me. Watch the video! Thank you @Cgmi for this opportunity. 

This is not only beneficial to parents but teenagers and youths alike. 

It is titled 

Public Parenting 

By Onyebuchi at Church of God Mission area 11, Abuja

Parenting as we all know refers to the aspect of raising a child aside from the biological relationship.

As a child, I learnt from the individual strengths of both my parents. But as time went by, I sort for more parental examples I could live by. So I asked myself who and where can I find a place with such people, and I answered myself, the church of course! Now, parents, it doesn’t matter if they're your biological children or not, as long as you’re a parent, you have a responsibility to live an exemplary life.  

Each time I sit and observe, I see the way our mama, Mama Julie, the way she genuflects, that is the way she bows when she hands over the microphone to the Bishop when she is done with her word, and then I ask myself, ‘aren’t these people friends? Why so much respect? But then I realise she’s only obeying the scripture in the book of ‘1peter 3:1a’, which says ‘likewise ye wives be subjective to your husband, subjection there is to be ‘respectful.’

I see the way the Bishop touches the shoulders of his wife when she prays for the church on the altar during service, Wow! ‘a touch of affection’ and then again I asked myself again, aren’t these people coming from the same place? Then I relate it to Ephesians 5:25, ‘that says men love your wives.’

The Bishop travelled for weeks on holiday and returned few weeks later. As soon as I saw him on the Sunday of his return, I ran towards him and gave him a warm hug and got an embrace in return.  For more than 17 years of my fellowship in the Church of God Mission, I had never run to embrace the current bishop or rev of the church until that day, and I said in my heart. Finally, I have a big Daddy!!!

As a teenager I always shied away from her because I believed she was too hard and harsh on me after all, I’m not her daughter, so why should she be caring towards me? But today I find myself wanting the experience that I had missed as a teenager by drawing closer to her; this person is none other than my very own Rev Mrs Akpobome.


Mrs Rita Edemudia, from you I have learnt to express myself in the presence of the Lord in praise, watching you minister and run all around the church and sing praises to God is enlightening, even when she tripped and fell from the altar. I related that to the book of Psalm 37:23 “the steps of the righteous are ordered by the Lord,” so when she fell, she rose up immediately!! And continued praising!! ‘the power of praise’!.

One midweek service, I sat beside one of our members and then I saw Deaconess Hope Ofora walked up to him and squeezed in money into his hands and said: “for your transport.” Although she may have done it in secret in her heart, I was fortunate to seen and heard her, that day; she thought me something special which we can relate to the book of ‘Acts 20:35b’ “it is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Someone else whom I have also learnt the act of giving is our very own Rev Egbagbe, who has always thought us what he titled ‘the rainbow offering’, and sincerely I can’t wait to start giving that on a regular basis. One other thing he also thought me is, ‘you mustn’t wait until you get to heaven before you begin to wear designer clothes and good suits, for God’s children are blessed in the land. ‘Genesis 12; 2.’

Another woman that excites me is our very own woman leader, ‘Deaconess Laleobe’, whenever women are mentioned in church, she chants one of her favourite words, “let there be a hand collusion”, and all the woman will jam their hands together.

I also remember the day her husband was called to give a testimony, and as soon as he was called, she rose up and said ‘I must follow the Goliath!’, I relate that with 1peter 3:6, where the bible describes Sarah as an obedient wife, and she referred to her husband as ‘her master’. Wow!! I sincerely wish I will belong to your group when I become a WOMAN.

Couples I also admire are: Dr and Mrs Chidi obi, Mr and Mrs Tony Muoboghare, Mr and Mrs Faith Aibamgbee, fondly known as Uncle faith, these couples mentioned all served in the choir, fall in love in this choir, got married in this altar and are still serving in this very choir! Who said the lord is not a musician and ultimate matchmaker!?. What an awesome foundation to start a family.

Also a mother I admire so much, you never see her not wearing her favourite accessory! Her smile.She is none other than Mrs Obasahon popularly known as the principal’s wife. With her I can relate with Proverbs 15:30, which says; a cheerful look brings joy to the heart.

Rev Dan Akpomon, Mr and Mrs Faith Aibamgbee, Mr and Mrs Andy Odia, Deacon Barrister Osayande, I want to ask you an important question, how in the world did you train your kids? In this modern age? Your kids are amazing! I pray that the Lord will grant me the Grace to teach my children like yours, for then heaven will confirm that I can’t be guilty of bad parenting.

Another lady I admire so much, an exquisite and beautiful woman, yet so humble, Deaconess Blessing Amachree, always available for Sanctuary keeping, she washes the church toilet? It’s an amazing thing, with her I confirm the saying, ‘cleanliness is next to godliness.

In line with humility are Elder Dayo Akindoju, Elder Peter Momodu, Rev Hon Ossai Nicolas Ossai, Mama Tari, Elder Ereku, Rev Areguamen, Deacon Diai, Elder Orumadiki. Also, Rev Emana, Deacon Onowese, Deacon Abraham Idogho, Deaconess Comfort Umole, Elder Charles Onojaife, Deaconess Mabel Wuku and the list goes on and on. All greatly blessed by God and yet ever humble, I appreciate you all, and I pray for the Grace to be humble when I become Great.  

And to my beloved parents, who have prayerfully and morally been there for me throughout my life, especially my beloved mum, Deaconess Oby Rita Odianjo, I call her my ‘superwoman.’ She virtually trained most of the youths today from the kingdom builders department to the fine men and ladies we are today, I love you both, and I say a big thank you.  

Now, my beloved public parents, I doubt if any of you know my name or who my parents are, but look at the way your existence alone has been a blessing to me.

Because I haven’t been given the luxury of time, I have listed only but a few parents whom I learn from every day.

Now to all the parents seated here - you are breathing, living and walking bible that every child studies each day. Biological child or not, you have a role to play in the life of every child by the way you live. You are parents to the fatherless, the motherless and to those children who their parents are too busy to teach.

Remember, in quote ‘children are the heritage of the Lord', we need you as much as you need us, so parents- We’re watching you.

And to the youth and teenagers, my darling teenagers, we mustn’t go through the pain of learning the hard way through experience, all we have to do is watch and learn from our biological parents and our public parents. 

I pray that the Lord will help us in Jesus name, Amen. ALOHIM AZAAR!!!!!!!!!!