[EDITORIAL] Moral values should be instilled at an early age

Yesterday, one of the world’s iconic figures took his final bow and left the stage. Muhammad Ali individually did more to arouse conscience, especially black conscience, but more than that, he was the epitome, if not the architect, of dignity—Agaciro. When one looks at him through the modern Rwandan lens, there are a lot of similarities. Both did not accept to be held down by anything. In fact, Mohammad Ali took Agaciro to another level. An anecdote is told that when it came to honour the former champion on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where the name of celebrities and a star are embedded in a slab on the pavement, Ali refused his to be put on the ground saying: “No one walks over Mohammad Ali”. It was embedded in the wall above other stars. These are the qualities our celebrity-mad young generation should take a leaf from, not the rowdy, rude and immoral music and movie stars. Ali goes to the grave with his integrity intact. But how are the youth of today doing today to leave behind a similar legacy? Do the ministries that deal with the youth move beyond Ingando and give regular morality, patriotism and Agaciro lessons? What about in the homes? How many inspirational movies, books or games are available to the kids to build a strong character, one who will not accept to be stridden upon? These are lessons that should feature in education curricula, right from the beginning, and Mohammad Ali and other similar characters could act as role models, not hip-hop artistes who are just there to seek fame and fortune and corrupting the morals of the youth at the same time.

Opinions

[EDITORIAL] Moral values should be instilled at an early age