By Eric Elezuo
Towards the development of a morally stable society, a value-driven community and a priority focused individual, the Department of Psychology, University of Lagos, in conjunction with the Nigerian Association of Developmental Psychologist (NADP), a division of the Nigerian Psychological Association has stated that the brunt of children rearing duties has to be done by parents and guardians of children and wards.
This and many more were disclosed at a 2-day programme of the groups between September 10 and 11, 2018 held at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Lagos, with the theme ‘Child Rearing Practices, Child Development and Fostering of a National Identity in Nigeria’.
In her speech, the Head of Psychology Department, Mrs. Esther Akinsola, who doubles as the President of NADP, said the conference was geared towards highlighting the problem associated with child raising and culture socialization of individuals in the society. She noted that most parents have abandoned the real roles of child rearing and resolved to abandonment through excessive petting or extreme discipline, saying that none of them is the appropriate way to raise a child.
While making his opening remarks, the Dean of the Faculty of Social Science, University of Lagos, Prof. Iyiola Oni, who was represented by Prof. Risikat Dauda stated that the programme was a worthy one and would assuredly create and proffer lasting solutions to the problems that came with child rearing and fostering in Nigeria. He lauded the efforts of Mrs Akinsola in putting together the programme.
To spice the event, the group of the department demonstrated a show that portrayed the authoritative and authoritarian parents in child rearing.
Explaining the message of the drama, a 300 level student of the department, who participated in the presentation, Miss Deborah Oluwunmi, said that parents are being admonished to understand the psychological disposition of the child towards a particular discipline and encourage them instead of bullying them to face a particular direction they are not comfortable with.
In the same vein, Dr. E. F Akinsola, Head of Department and National Coordinator (N. A. D. P) of Psychology who gave the welcome address for the conference elucidated that she hoped that at the end of the conference, participants would have garnered enough knowledge from the speakers on ground that would make them better psychologists, parents and citizens.
The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Sola Olowu, who took time to dissect the intricacies involved in bringing up a child.
After a lunch break, the house reconvened to the sensational lecture delivered by Prof. Regina Eya, followed by questions and answers which further buttresses the act of child rearing and development.
The presentation of a scientific session brought the events of the first day to a satisfactory close.
