Group urges Federal Government to establish counseling centres in schools

For the country to truly achieve the sustainable development yearned for, there is an urgent need to optimize guidance and counseling.This should be made possible by enforcing subsisting laws which makes it mandatory for schools to operate a counseling clinic to attend to the psycho-social needs of community members.

The chairperson local organising committee for Oyo state Counseling Association of Nigeria (CASSON) 2017 annual conference, Dr Monilola Oyetade said the solution to the myriads of problems confronting the nation lies on the extent to which counseling is given priority attention.

Oyetade who is also a lecturer in the department of guidance and counseling, Lead City University (LCU) said with the increased spate of crime coupled with depression, political and religious crises; there is an urgent need for the establishment of counseling centers to address the trend.

She said, “When the country optimises guidance and counseling by enforcing subsisting laws, and ensuring that each school, either public or private operates a counseling clinic or center to attend to the psycho-social needs of community members, then Nigeria may truly be ready for sustainable development.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the conference, the association called on the federal government to expedite action on the process of issuing national policy on counseling while tasking the National Assembly to speed up the process of professionalising counselling in the country.The association stressed that counselling as a process and profession is desirable in bringing peace, stability and development to any society.