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This prompt coincides with a trending discussion in my state, Kogi, about a new policy from the government in an attempt to improve internally generated revenue. The government released a circular to all the state-owned tertiary institutions. The institutions were directed to request the tax clearance certificate of the parent of any student before such a student can be registered. What this implies is that if your parents are tax defaulters, your registration will be delayed till they comply. In the event that they refuse to comply, you may lose your admission.
Many people commenting on this directive have divided opinions. While some see it as a way to make workers more tax compliant, others see the policy as being unfair to the innocent children whose punishment for their parents' sin is being meted out on them. I support the latter group. I don't see any reason why I should be denied any right because my parents are tax defaulters. Prompt payment of tax should be an obligation for every patriotic citizen. However, tax defaulters should be the one to be held responsible for their crime.
I don't like the idea of stereotyping someone for the sin of their parents. I know it's quite easy for a child to receive favor because of the kind personality of his or her parents. In a similar way, a child might be made to face the consequences of his or her parents previous actions. I don't think it's necessary to judge a child by his parents personality. I have seen clergymen give birth to notorious criminals. I have also seen a man whose father was killed in a robbery operation who turned out to be well-behaved and easygoing, a stark opposite of his armed robber father.
God has designed humans in such a way that the final decision about one's life lies within him to make. No one can force you to be like your parents; not even the parents themselves can do that. The bulk of everything stops on the table of every adult.
Imagine arresting a parent and having him or her prosecuted for the crime of his or her child. This kind of action has been condemned in the past by the court of law. There was an incident that happened when I was growing up with my parents. A man committed a crime, I think robbery, and he was at large. The police stormed his house and arrested the aged father. The old man was held in custody, and his relatives were told that the he would only be released when his son is arrested or surrendered. The man was represented in court by a lawyer, and the lawyer argued successfully that the man's detention was wrong. The court lampooned the action of the police. Police were directed to go after the criminal and get him to face justice. The old man was released immediately.
The court held that everyone should be seen as a unique personality. That A is the father of B doesn't mean that they both share the same character.
Whatever someone tells me about another person's parents, I don't judge the child by it without due diligence to know the character of the child. I believe that everyone should be held responsible for who he is and not what he is.