Counselling institute graduates 53, as experts advocate counselling to curb social anomalies
Fifty three persons have graduated from the Institute of Counseling in Nigeria (ICN), even as experts call for counselling to curb social anomalies.
The experts noted that, counselling will eradicate the rising cases of social anomalies like corruption, suicide, drug abuse, rape, and others in Africa.
They gave the charge at the 5th Graduation & Awards Giving Ceremony of the Institute of Counseling in Nigeria (ICN) held recently in Lagos.
In her welcome address, the Provost of ICN, Dr. Tolulope Oko-Igaire said to have a functional society all critical stakeholders from schools to churches, mosques, hospitals, and private and public organisations including government parastatals must embrace counseling, stating that the problem of Africa is beyond poverty but ‘poverty of the mind’ and counseling will help change people’s mindset.
“Until Africans begin to think right, there is no hope of feeling or acting right, and the only solution to thinking right is cognitive reconditioning and behavioral modification. From our schools to our churches, mosques, hospitals, private and public organizations, government parastatals down to the smallest unit that makes up the society, which is the family, it is high time we embrace professional counseling. We need to go through the journey of self-discovery, work on our generational traumas, and resolve our conflicting thought patterns, only until then can we have a functional society.
“This is why I congratulate our newest world changers; you are the ones who will bring about the necessary changes needed to take Africa to its destination. Go out there and open up people’s minds to this misery called professional counseling, join us in leading the campaign of mental health awareness and help in taking Africa to the promised land,” she stated.
The Board Chairman of ICN, Wale Adefarasin added that counseling will help address social issues like divorce, domestic violence, addiction, and others if it is embraced by stakeholders. He pointed out that “For example, intending couples seek proper counseling before marriage to help manage possible anomalies in their relationships. This and many more are what counseling helps to address; unfortunately, the awareness is not on the line to bring this notice to the public.”
He therefore charged the graduates to remain steadfast in spreading the news and making an impact through counseling to make the society better.”I say a very big congratulations to you all. This is a stepping stone; the light has been kindled in you all to illuminate lives. It may not be as easy, you may experience difficulties at some point in time.
However, I implore you to make lives, make impacts, and keep publicizing the good news of counseling. The world is yours, go out and shine.”
In the same vein, the President, ICN Alumni Exco Counselor Odusanya Oluremi equally charged the graduates to work with the Alumni community to discharge the responsibility of advancing the study, training, and practice of the counseling profession in Nigeria and Africa.
In her words, “Your passion and desire to become a clinical counselor, psychotherapist, and registered member of the counseling profession has become a reality. I can assure you that great opportunities lie ahead for a breakthrough in counseling career.
“I, therefore, charge you to go out there and make a sound impact in the different aspects of counseling you have chosen.”
ICN is positioned to enroll and educate students from all parts of Africa and the rest of the world through her online and offline blended training program.
ICN is positioned to enroll and educate students from all parts of Africa and the rest of the world through her online and offline blended training program. As well as help corporate organisation improves employee wellbeing through her specialised training.
It has been at the fore front of mental health counseling training, intervention and sensitisation in Africa. The Institute was founded in 2010 as a not-for-profit independent educational charity. The passion to help people achieve their dreams of becoming professional counselors birthed this vision; the aim is to fill the vacuum of lack of access to standard education and the inability to acquire professional certificates in the field of counseling and psychotherapy in Africa.
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