STRATEGIC USE OF FOLKTALES AND PROVERBS AND THE REALIZATION OF MORAL AWAKENING AMONG EMOHUA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA YOUTHS

Abstract

Moral values remain the bedrock of every healthy society. Its adherence promotes wellbeing of a society. However, moral values appeared to be relegated to the background by some youths in Emohua Local Government Area through their involvement in criminality which has made the place unsafe and unconducive for native and non-native residents, thereby pauperizing the people and hindering meaningful development in the area. In view of moral erosion in the L.G.A., this study sought to investigate the use of folktales and proverbs in reawakening moral values in Emohua Local Government. To achieve this, a purposive sample was drawn from the population of  Emohua LGA and focus group discussion, interview and participant observation were used to generate data. Findings revealed that the causes of moral decadence in Emohua Local Government Area are lack of parental influence on children, peer pressure to indulge in nefarious activities, glorification of social vices by government officials, lack of proper upbringing, illiteracy, paucity of welfare packages for the less privilege in society and the moral bankruptcy of the political class. It further disclosed that integration of folktales and proverbs into school curricular, a community quiz competition on folktales and proverbs as well as gatherings that teach folktales and proverbs can help in restoring morally upright, society in Emohua Local Government Area. It also revealed that folktales such as snail and tortoise, carnivorous mother and her son, a rich man and his eight wives and tortoise and a stout can champion moral rebirth in Emohua Local Government Area. Finding further showed that introduction of folktales and proverbs in homes as well as availability of folktales in a readable form can reawaken societal norms and morals in Emohua Local Government Area. The study lamented the neglect of folktales and proverbs in the area. It, however, recommend that youths within the Local Government Area should be meaningfully engaged to prevent them from being attracted to cult groups which is a vehicle for social vices in society.