Rotary Club of Ikeja holds parenting seminar for 24 schools, urging parents to build empathy, communication, and understanding with Gen Z children.

The Rotary Club of Ikeja has hosted the second edition of its More Than Just Parenting Seminar, drawing parents from over 24 public secondary schools in the Ikeja Local Government Area of Lagos.

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Held at the Ikeja Senior High School Hall, the event was themed “Role of Parents in Gen Z” and focused on bridging generational gaps between parents and children in a fast-changing world.

Participating schools included Army Cantonment Junior and Senior High Schools, Agidingbi Junior Grammar School, Community Junior High School, Oregun Junior High School, Opebi Senior Grammar School, Oke Ira Senior High School, Ogba Junior High School, and Community Senior High School, among others.

Lead facilitator and Chief Executive Officer of OJ Martins Consulting Limited, Ojo Martins Olatunde, and Mrs Adenike Faronbi, CEO of Fadenik Global Ventures, urged parents to engage more deeply with their children to foster trust and emotional balance.

Mrs Faronbi, in her address titled “To Be a Real Mum”, warned against the growing culture of parental comparison.
“To be a real mum is not about comparison,” she said. “We are not to compare ourselves or our children with others, socially or academically. You must be the best parent for your children in every way.”

She emphasised empathy and open communication as vital tools in modern parenting. “You must acknowledge your children’s feelings. Even when they dislike your food, don’t react with anger — talk, listen, and grow with them,” she advised.

For his part, Mr Olatunde called for a redefinition of fatherhood in today’s society.
“I am passionate about helping fathers change the old narrative that a dad is the grand commander of family forces,” he said. “Today’s father should be a coach, not His Royal Majesty at home.”

He noted that while many fathers focus on survival and daily needs, true leadership at home requires balancing both short-term and long-term goals to nurture responsible and confident children.

The Rotary Club of Ikeja said the seminar forms part of its commitment to strengthening families and promoting community development through education and social engagement.

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The event concluded with an interactive session where parents shared experiences and pledged to adopt new approaches to communication and discipline suited to Generation Z children.