Former Governor of Plateau State, Senator Joshua Dariye, has called on parents irrespective of their religion to take their responsibility of inculcating in the children the fear of God seriously to tackle the current rise in crime and terrorism in the.

Dariye, currently representing Jos Central in the Senate also appealed to Nigerians to give President Goodluck Jonathan the support he needed to enable the country and citizens get all the dividends of democracy that the administration could offer as well as all the developmental opportunities which could only thrive in an atmosphere of peace and order.

The Senator pointed out that it would be dangerous for politicians who think they are always better to keep heating the polity, and blowing up the entire system as he warned that at the end of the “warfare,” even if the so-called better wins , he would come back to realise that there would be no system left to run.

Speaking to The Tide in an exclusive interview on the prospects of Nigerian children as they celebrate this year’s Children’s Day and on President Goodluck Jonathan’s one year in office, he pointed out that the Nigerian child had suffered unfairly in the hands of those who are supposed to lead them aright but regretted that they had rather taken undue advantage of their ignorance and poverty to use them negatively for selfish interests.

He noted that instead of being taught how to be patriotic and useful to the nation, they were being used by politicians to foment trouble, thereby, exposing them to fatalities, while shielded or even taken away from the entire scene for safe keeps.

He therefore enjoined Nigerian children and youths to shun violence and warfare inflamed by persons whose children could never be on the street to fight.

His word: “I congratulate Nigerian children who are the leaders of tomorrow. And we want to appeal to parents especially those who produce left right and centre. The major role of every parent is to ensure that the children are brought up in the fear of God so that they do not become a problem to the society. The Boko Haram syndrome generated from parents, loose control.

“I believe that politicians are the ones using the people and their children will not die but the children of the poor people are the ones to die. I did say when I was Governor, all these big people that are encouraging you to fight, where are their children? So, it is food for thought for all of us”.

Dariye in his assessment of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s government, described the President as “God’s gift to the nation.” Stressing  that God had a purpose for putting him there, and enjoined Nigerians to give him all the support he needs.

“ I thank God for his life . Leadership is from God. Once a President is elected, you keep politics aside. What I am saying is that he is trying to do his best. There are a lot of distractions due to the security challenges,. All I appeal with Nigerians is let us cooperate with God’s gift and achieve our vision”.

“Like he said, he may not be the best but God has a reason to put him there” so, let us cooperate with God’s gift to actualise our dreams and visions a as nation .”

The former governor rated Nigeria’s democracy high, advocated constructive engagements as a veritable tool for growth of democracy, and enjoined the winners in democracies to reach out to the losers.

“We pray for long life and for Muslims and Christians to bury their differences. What is killing us is not Mohammed appearing on the scene or Jesus Christ to say fight. It is our misplaced priority,” he said.