Moral Decline Beyond Schools’ Control, Dr Nonye Soludo Warns at Anambra Congress

 

Dr Nonye Soludo, wife of the Anambra State Governor, has raised an alarm over the deepening erosion of societal values, asserting that the burden of moral regeneration can no longer rest solely on the shoulders of educational institutions. Addressing stakeholders at the 2025 Congress of the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), she described the current state of moral decay as a collective failure that demands urgent and collaborative intervention.

The Congress, held under the theme “Moral Regeneration and Value Reorientation at the Basic Education Level: The Role of Stakeholders,” attracted educators, policymakers, and community leaders determined to confront the growing ethical crises among children and youths. Dr Soludo identified disturbing trends—ranging from examination fraud, often abetted by parents, to rising incidents of theft, neo-pagan practices, and the glorification of quick wealth and indecency on social media—as symptoms of a society adrift.

She stressed that these vices signify more than mere youthful rebellion; they represent a deep cultural shift that schools alone are ill-equipped to correct. “We need more than classrooms and chalkboards to address this,” she warned. “The community must step up. Parents, religious institutions, local leaders—all must take up their roles in nurturing the conscience of the next generation.”

To curb the crisis, Dr Soludo advocated a return to structured moral instruction within the school curriculum, along with strengthened guidance and counselling services. According to her, moral education should not be a relic of the past but a cornerstone of modern learning. She called for the revival of traditional mentoring systems and community involvement akin to the values once embedded in the cosmopolitan Igbo culture, where raising a child was seen as a communal effort.

Her sentiments echoed throughout a panel session that featured leading voices from the academic and public service sectors. Professor Jaja Nwanegbo of Nnamdi Azikiwe University underscored the need for parental involvement, stressing that children are more likely to embrace positive change when nurtured within emotionally secure homes. Professor Nkechi Ikediugwu, who chairs the Anambra Post Primary Schools Service Commission, also emphasized the pivotal role of early family education in character development.

Adding her voice, Mrs Ify Obinabo, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, advocated for renewed trust and communication between parents and their children. She emphasized that children who enjoy strong bonds at home are more receptive to institutional guidance and discipline. Similarly, the former Provost of Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe, pointed out that moral transformation is most effective when initiated at the basic education level, where foundational values are first formed.

Setting the tone for the day, Dr Vera Nkiru Nwadinobi, Chairperson of ASUBEB, explained that the Congress was convened to remind stakeholders of their role in building a value-driven educational system. She warned that without a strong moral foundation, hopes for a resilient and prosperous nation would remain elusive.

Participants left the Congress with a renewed sense of urgency and responsibility. The consensus was clear: the fight for moral regeneration must move beyond schools and syllabuses into the heart of communities and homes.