The Association of Professional Counsellors in Nigeria (APROCON) on Tuesday in Ilorin called for urgent intervention across primary, secondary and tertiary institutions to promote national rebirth in Nigeria.
Prof. Ekundayo Ocholi, the National President of APROCON made the submission during her speech at the Annual International Conference in Ilorin, Kwara.
The theme of the conference is entitled:” Counselling for National Rebirth, Behavioural Transformation and Attitudinal Change”.
Ocholi observed that lack of counselling in schools can result to systematic breakdown, adding that to avert this the association will double more effort to proffer solutions to the challenges in the society.
According to her, professional counsellors in every sector of the country are contributing in no small measure to the development and well being of the individuals and the society at large, particularly to the school system.
“You will agree with me that this country is suffering from behavioural and attitudinal problem that must be putting to the right perspective.
“It was expected that after the Beijing conferece declaration and with the 35 percent affirmation action for women, there would have been an attitudinal change towards gender discrimination.
“It has however not abated, instead it is getting worse. More recently, cases of school and domestic violence are happening at an alarming rate and corruption in Nigeria is at its highest peak and among the worst in the world, ” she said.
In his address, Mallam Adamu Adamu, the Minister of Education represented by Dr Apeh Andrew, of the Department of School Services of the Ministry of Education described the theme of the conference as apt.
He lamented on the growing youth restivdness across the country, adding that the Ministry will not rest on the oars on intensifying efforts to proffer solutions.
Adamu charged the association to intensify efforts in their expertise as counsellors, while also adopting international best practices in discharge of their duty.
The Ministers also lamented on the negative values that are been indoctrinated to the youth through social media.
Also speaking, Prof Wahab Egbewole, SAN, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin explained that tertiary institutions don’t just issue certificates to students, but with the knowledge that the learning is with character.
He however lamented that campuses in the country are frequently fighting cultism, sexual harassment, and drug use among others.
Egbewole therefore charge the association to do more in the area of counselling the youth on reformation, adding that recommendation of the association should serve as template to adopt for the reformation strategy of the country.
Dr Garba Abari, the Director General of the National Orientation Agency, expressed optimism that despite numerous challenges, there is still hope for the nation.
Abari who was represented by Mr Olusegun Adeyemi, Kwara State Director, NOA stated that with concerted efforts from all stakeholders especially APROCON, Nigeria will achieve national rebirth.
He observed that Nigeria must improve on efficiency and productivity in the public enterprise sector for economic rejuvenation.
Earlier in her welcoming address, Dr Barakat Ibrahim, the Chairperson of the APROCON, kwara chapter, commended the Kwara Government for their hospitality and support in hosting the conference in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that sidelines of the conference includes the association’s Fellows Award for Recertification.