Gafar Alabi

The Chairman of the Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Evangelist Olalekan Ifede, has been conferred with the title of Grand Ambassador of the Association of Professional Counsellors of Nigeria (APROCON), Ogun State Chapter, in recognition of his exemplary leadership and advocacy for professional counselling.

APROCON, is a professional body comprising certified and academically trained counsellors committed to improving counselling standards, research and mental health awareness in Nigeria.

Receiving the conferment at the SUBEB Board Conference Room, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Evang. Ifede, stressed the importance of knowledge in the counselling profession, noting that counsellors must be knowledgeable enough to effectively transfer knowledge to others.

The SUBEB Chairman also encouraged counsellors to cultivate the habit of reading, particularly storybooks, as a means of broadening their knowledge and improving their effectiveness.

He noted that Public Primary Schools in Ogun State required strong moral guidance, particularly in the face of increasing moral decadence in the society, which he attributed partly to the negligence of some parents and guardians.

He appreciated APROCON for its collaborative efforts and emphasised the importance of maintaining mutual respect among teachers, parents and members of the community, noting that the era of parents insulting or assaulting teachers in Public Schools across the State is over.

Evang. Ifede, expressed appreciation to the association for the honour and promised to continue doing more to contribute to the development of education and humanity.

Also speaking, the Permanent Member IV of the Board, Rt. Hon. Akeem Balogun, appreciated APROCON for identifying with the Board and its activities, urging the association to remain unique and distinguished in its activities, while he assured that such collaboration would contribute to moving basic education in the State to the right direction.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Director of Administration and Supplies, SUBEB, Mr. Femi Fatade, acknowledged the important role of guidance and counselling in strengthening Public Primary Education in the State. He appreciated APROCON for the visit, particularly, it’s commitment in promoting academic success, emotional well-being and overall development of learners.

The State Chairperson of APROCON and a retired lecturer at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Dr. Emily Adeniji, explained that the purpose of the visit was to identify and appreciate the achievements of the SUBEB Chairman across various sectors of education, assuring the Board of the association’s readiness to support programmes initiated by SUBEB where its expertise could add value, while urging the Chairman to continue supporting professional counsellors.

Also speaking, a Fellow of APROCON and retired Principal-General in Remo Division, Dr. (Mrs.) Olubunmi Womiloju, described the conferment as a new title in the counselling profession, noting that the national body was particularly interested in having Ogun State become the first State to confer the title.

She called for greater collaboration between SUBEB and APROCON, stressing that early counselling of pupils could help reduce social vices and contribute to creating a better learning environment.