By Biola Lawal

Calabar (FLOWERBUDNEWS):  Prof. Eno Grace Nta of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) has charged parents, caregivers, guardians, communities, and the larger society to intensify efforts to enhance growth, development, and self-actualization of the child

Prof. Nta gave me charge while delivering the 144th Inaugural lecturer of the University of Calabar (Unical) at the Godswill Akpabio International Conference Centre, a statement by the Public Relations Unit of the University disclosed.

The Inaugural lecture was on “And a Little Child Shall Lead Them: Pruning Cobwebs in Child Discourse in a Changing World.”

According to the Professor, the need to dedicate time and energy for the development of the child has become imperative as this will help them navigate the path to quality leadership.

Eno Nta, a Professor of Language Acquisition and Discourse Studies called on adults in the changing society to wear new thinking caps that fit the time for negotiation and propagation of better narratives that advance the child to actualize his or her dreams.

This is even as she frowned at child verbal abuse, saying it compels the child to feel rejected, frightened, isolated, and helpless.

Prof. Nta noted that child verbal abuse can negatively affect brain development and double the risk of increasing mental issues, hence the need for parents and guardians to desist from it.

The inaugural lecturer said, “Let the child breathe! Let us supply sufficient oxygen for them to breathe. It is when the child breathes effortlessly that the family and society will breathe into a guaranteed future.

“When we all do our part through regulated discourses that centre on the child’s wellbeing, we will rest assured that ‘the little child shall lead them’ and lead us in the society of our dream.”

Prof. Nta who is currently the Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration further urged parents, teachers, religious, and political leaders involved in child upbringing to serve as role models and avoid the use of abusive and violent language on and around the child.

She also charged them to set a religious and sociocultural background early enough for the child and engage in discourse activities that could facilitate the realization of the child’s dream.

The Don also underscored the need to help the child on the type of friends to keep and guide them on career choice and progression.

The Vice Chancellor of Unical, Prof. Florence Obi, praised Prof. Nta as one of the ‘pillars’ of the current administration and a role model for upcoming academics, commending her for her impactful lecture.

She described the lecture topic as “key to child development,” highlighting its significance in shaping the future of children and society.

Prof. Obi encouraged other senior academics to follow Prof. Nta’s example in mentoring the next generation of scholars.

The well- attended lecture featured the presentation of a memento to the Inaugural lecturer by the Vice Chancellor.