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Psychology, Panacea for National Restructuring – Dr. Akintola, Head Psychology Dept., UNILAG

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By Eric Elezuo

She is among the very few who are at home wherever you meet them as regards their discipline. Her name is Dr. Esther Akintola, the Head, Department of Psychology, University of Lagos. In this brief chat, she explains the intricacies of psychology as a course of study as well as what it takes to bring  up God fearing children worthy of leading the nation to the next level. Excerpts:

Can we meet you?

My name is Esther Foluke Akinsola, an Associate professor of Psychology and Acting Head of Psychology Department, University of Lagos.

 

Apart from psychology, what else is Dr. Akinsola known for?

Well, I am a Consultant developmental and Clinical psychologist and I do research and teachings in clinical and psychological matters. I have also addressed many family problems. These were families that were engrossed in challenges resulting from breakdown in adolescent communication. Often times, we do not tend to understand adolescents and where they are coming from and same with the adolescents, they do not understand their parents so it creates a problem. They want freedom, they desire freedom.

Want or deserve freedom?

No, not deserve. They want unreserved freedom but they do not want to take responsibilities for the actions they take. This is called psychological trauma and it is responsible for creating a gap in family communication.

So, what is being done to bridge this gap?

Friendship breeds communication and this is where most parents loose it. Majority or parents are not friends to their children and there is no way these adolescents would open up to you if friendship has not been established. And this is the kind of strategy I am bringing on board that you begin talking to your children even from the womb. It will flow naturally so as they grow up it doesn’t seem like a hard thing because you have cultivated the habit. They do not want orders or dictation and this is what parents are prone to do at that point.

These adolescents do a lot of thinking and the only panacea to the gap between them and their parent is communication.

How long have you been in the field of psychology that has made you so vast in it?

I started lecturing in psychology in 1981 in the University of Lagos. I graduated in 1976 with a Second Class Upper division. I was doing a lot of things together at that time. I got married as a student in 1974, graduated in 1976, just 3 weeks after I gave birth to my first child, so I was a mother, a wife and a student. To be candid, I never wanted to be a teacher but I think as destiny would have it, that is what I am. I did my A levels and you know then A levels were done in December and when I finished my A levels the first job I got was teaching.

How would you say psychology has impacted on the socioeconomic growth of the country?

Psychology is the study of human beings, the study of human behavior and as long as there are people in the society there is a need for psychology and since it is humans who control these sectors, psychology is important. So, psychology is important because it pays a huge role in policy making and development. I heard someone once say that there is no way the minimum wage given at #18,000 will stop corruption and you expect people not to steal.

So, policies must have a humane approach to them and even then you can make the work interesting for whoever is doing it. These are some of the things psychology seeks to teach.

Psychology also teaches financial management and stability which is key to any country’s growth.

Are you saying in essence that psychology is what the country needs?

Yes! Yes! Psychology of financial and human resources! I heard that family members of fighters against Boko Haram are given stipends when they die in sharp contrast to the members of Boko Haram who are paid millions. Some psychologists would even posit that it is beneficial to be a Boko Haram member than a soldier. I also heard that there are some places in the Niger area where they have not seen government presence and this Boko Haram comes along offering them food and money, you think if one was there, one wouldn’t be tempted to join the sect?

What advice do you have for many young people who are still indecisive on what course to study?

I have advice for them and their parents. The parents must let the children choose their career path.  Gone are the days when parents decide for their children, saying my child must be a lawyer. The child should be motivated to follow his passion and support must come from the parents.

As for the children, discover early enough what you want to do. Just recently, a student came to me and said he wants to drop psychology and study Creative Arts, that this is where his passion is, and he is in his 300 level. I instructed him to at least finish the psychology first before thinking of changing. After all, these are the days that one can own more than one certificate.

Also, as much as parents enjoin their children to pursue their interests, they must keep close tab on them. The children must know that interest doesn’t mean friendship or peer group. It should not be because my friend is going to the sciences, I must follow him when in the real sense your strength is in the arts.

About two years ago, this department produced a straight 5.0 First class graduate. Is that the first time?

Yes and the first in the whole school.

So, what are you doing to maintain this feat?

I think it is more dependent on the student. The young man who had a 5.0 took a course of mine in his 200 level and I did not know him, at least not until his 5.0 feat. What I am saying is that I am sure the young man made up his mind when he entered the University to be studious and serious. In essence, it is dependent on the students. The lecturers are dedicated and committed to their success.

Is that why you retained the young man?

Yes, we want him to serve as an inspiration to others. He is still young and he understands the young people more than we can ever do.

On a final note, can you advice our parents?

Okay! There is something called positive child rearing and it should be the attitude every parent shows their children. Rather than say, you stupid child, look at what you have done you can say, look at the stupid thing you have done. In that sense, you have not condemned the actor and the action, just the action alone.

Again, as positive parenting goes, you cannot be smoking or drinking and you are telling your child not to. You must be a role model to him or her. We must all strive to become that kind of parent.

Thank you very much for your time.

Thank you.

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How Glo Network Became the Lifeline That Saved Two Lives: A True Story from Sallari

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By Dr. Sani Sa’idu Baba

It was one of those calm, bright mornings in Sallari, a town in Tarauni Local Government Area of Kano State. I had gone to visit my longtime friend and colleague, Dr. Muhammad Umar Abdullahi, at his private facility, Rauda Clinic and Maternity. We were in his office discussing research, the usual challenges of medical practice, and other issues when the sound of hurried footsteps and anxious voices broke the calm. A young man rushed in, calling for the doctor.

Without hesitation, Dr. Muhammad sprang into action. I followed him instinctively. Within moments, two people burst through the gate, one man carrying a weak, heavily pregnant woman in his arms. Her breathing was shallow and wheezy, her face pale, and her body trembling between labor contractions and an asthma crisis. The scene was intense, we both knew that every second counted.

The team quickly moved her to the emergency bed. The Chief Medical Director Dr. Muhammad and his nurses worked swiftly to stabilize her breathing and monitor the baby. Oxygen was connected, IV lines were set, and within minutes, her breathing began to steady. The baby’s heartbeat was strong. After a short but tense period, she delivered a healthy baby girl. Relief filled the room like a gentle wind.

At that moment, I couldn’t help but admire the efficiency and dedication of Rauda Clinic and Maternity. The facility operated with the precision and compassion of a modern hospital. Every member of the team knew their role, every piece of equipment was in place, and the environment radiated calm professionalism. It reminded me that quality healthcare is not only about infrastructure, but about commitment and readiness when it truly matters. Rauda Clinic stood out that day as a quiet pillar of excellence and hope for patients and families alike.

The following day, I placed a call to Dr. Muhammad to ask about the condition of the woman who had been brought in the previous morning. He sounded cheerful and relieved. “Both mother and baby are fine now,” he said. Then, with deep reflection in his voice, he narrated the extraordinary story behind their survival, a story that showed how a single phone call, made at the right moment, became the bridge between life and death. As I listened to him recount the events, I couldn’t help but marvel at how sometimes, survival depends not only on medicine but also on connection.

Her name was Amina, a mother of three. That morning, she was alone at home, her husband was in Dutse, the capital of Jigawa state where he works, and her children had already gone to school. The first wave of pain came suddenly, followed by a tightening in her chest. Within minutes, she was gasping for air, her asthma worsening with every breath. She reached for her phone to call her husband, but the call wouldn’t go through. She tried again and again, each time, “Network error.”

Her strength was fading fast. She tried to reach her neighbors, but again, no connection. Alone, frightened, and struggling to breathe, she said she felt her end was near. Then, a thought crossed her mind, her maid had left her phone in the sitting room that morning. Gathering the last of her strength, Amina crawled toward the television stand where the phone lay.

When she reached it, she noticed the green SIM icon, it was a Glo line. Hope flickered. But when she tried to make a call, she saw there was no airtime. That could have been the end until she remembered Glo’s Borrow Me Credit service. With trembling fingers, she dialed the Glo borrow me code and she got the credit instantly, and that small credit became her lifeline.

Her first attempt to reach her husband failed. Then she dialed her younger brother, Umar. This time, the call went through immediately. Interestingly, Umar is a Glo user too. Without delay, Umar and his wife rushed to her house, found her collapsed on the floor, and carried her into their car.

On their way, Umar called ahead to alert the doctor, and again, the call went through clearly. By a remarkable coincidence, Dr. Muhammad was also using a Glo line. That seamless connection meant the hospital team was fully prepared by the time they arrived. Within minutes, Amina was stabilized, and both she and her baby were safe.

The next morning, Dr. Muhammad told me that Amina had smiled faintly and said to him, “Doctor, when every other network failed me, Glo answered. If that call hadn’t gone through, I wouldn’t be here today.”

Her words carried a truth that stayed with me. It wasn’t just a patient’s gratitude, it was a testimony about the power of reliable connection. At that moment, Glo wasn’t just a telecommunications network, it was the bridge between life and death, between despair and hope.

In today’s world, a simple phone call can determine whether someone lives or dies. That day reminded me that technology, when dependable, is not just about data speed, it’s about human connection at its most critical. Glo proved to be that connection: steady, available, and trustworthy when it mattered most.

Before she was discharged, she laughed and told the doctor she had already chosen a nickname for her baby “Amira Glo.” They both laughed, but deep down, Dr. Muhammad understood the meaning behind that name. It symbolized gratitude, faith, and survival.

As I ended the call with Dr. Muhammad that day, I felt a quiet pride. I had witnessed not just the miracle of life, but the harmony of medicine, compassion, and reliable technology. Through Rauda Clinic and Maternity, I saw what true service means, dedication without boundaries, and connection that saves.

Amina’s story isn’t an advert, but living proof that sometimes, when every other signal fades, Glo stands firm, and when every other facility seems far away, Rauda Clinic and Maternity remains a beacon of care and excellence.

For patients, families, and health workers alike, Glo is proven to be a network of necessity. It connects life to hope, when every second truly counts…

Dr. Sani Sa’idu Baba writes from Kano, and can be reached via drssbaba@yahoo.com

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Delta Govt Confirms Death of Senator Nwaoboshi at 68

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Senator Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi, the former lawmaker who represented Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, has passed away. He was 68.

Reports said that Nwaoboshi died on Friday in Abuja following a brief illness.

His demise was confirmed in a condolence statement issued by the Delta State governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.

Expressing sorrow, the governor described Nwaoboshi’s passing as a monumental loss to Delta State, the Anioma nation, and the Nigerian federation.

In the statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, Governor Oborevwori hailed the late Senator as a “fearless advocate” of the Anioma cause whose contributions to nation-building remain indelible.

The governor recalled Nwaoboshi’s impactful tenure in the Red Chamber, particularly his role as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs.

He noted that Nwaoboshi’s consistent advocacy for the development of the oil-rich region distinguished him as a passionate and committed leader.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I mourn the passing of my dear friend, Senator Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi,” the governor said.

“I extend my heartfelt condolences to his immediate family, the people of Anioma nation, members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and all those whose lives he touched. I pray that Almighty God grant his soul eternal rest.”

Before his elevation to the Senate in 2015, he served meritoriously as a two-term Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, where he was instrumental in consolidating the party’s grip on the State.

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Ribadu’s Office Denies Arming Miyetti Allah in Kwara

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The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), under the office of the National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has refuted claims that it armed members of the Miyetti Allah group for counter-terrorism operations in Kwara State.

The Head of Strategic Communication at NCTC, Mr. Michael Abu, issued the rebuttal on Wednesday in Abuja.

Abu described the reports circulated by some online platforms as false and misleading, saying they misrepresented ongoing security operations in forested areas of the state.

He said that in line with the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022, it continued to coordinate and support law enforcement, security and intelligence agencies in countering all forms of terrorism across the country.

NCTC spokesman explained that Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts guided by the National Counter Terrorism Strategy (NACTEST), involved the deployment of hybrid forces comprising regular security personnel and trained auxiliaries such as hunters and vigilante elements, particularly in difficult terrains.

According to him, the hybrid approach, which was previously deployed with the Civilian Joint Task Force in the North-East, is currently being applied in parts of the North-West and North-Central, including Kwara State, and has recorded several successes against banditry and other criminal activities.

He stressed that the Federal government was not conducting kinetic operations with any socio-cultural group, adding that claims that the Office of the National Security Adviser provided arms to such organisations are unfounded and should be disregarded.

According to him, all auxiliary personnel involved in hybrid operations were recruited directly by authorised security and intelligence agencies after due diligence, and that all operations were conducted strictly in line with the law and established standard operating procedures.

He urged the media to exercise responsibility by protecting sensitive security information and seeking clarification through designated official spokespersons, while advising the public to ignore unverified reports capable of undermining ongoing operations.

He reaffirmed the centre’s commitment to transparency and stakeholder engagement to deepen public understanding of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts.

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