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Nigeria Psychological Association Holds 2018 Congress/Scientific Conference, Inducts Soyinka, New Members

Published

7 years ago

November 17, 2018

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The umbrella body of all psychology related endeavours, the Nigeria Psychological Association(NPA) has held its 2018 Congress and Scientific Conference with the theme Psychology, Culture and Diversity Management.

L-R: NPA President, Prof Ezenwa, President Pan African Psychological Association. Pro Seth Cooper, Prof Wole Soyinka, Mr. John Momoh

The highly rated event, which was held at the Ade Ajayi Audirium of the University of Lagos, was another convocation of intellectuals, bigwigs and great minds cutting across various strata of human endeavours. Most of them include Nigeria’s only Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka and frontline journalist and Chairman, Channels Television, Mr. John Momoh.

The gathering which escapitulates the diverse cultures of the Nigerian setting, set out psychological standards to tackle every shortcoming inherent in the society, with special perculiarity to Nigeria.

Prof John Pepper Clark (L), Prof Wale Babalakin (2nd right)

The nearly weeklong conference, which also drew together students from various campuses of Nigerian universities kicked started on Sunday November 4 with arrivals of participants from across the country.

The conference started proper the next day with a comprehensive opening ceremony where classical papers were delivered as well as inductions conducted after the associations executive committee has paid a desired courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, in his office.

Prof Ezenwa, reading his welcome address

Delivering his welcome address, the President of the Association, Professor Michael Ezenwa, traced the origin of the association, highlighting the achievements over the years. His address was followed by the declaration of the conference open by the Pro Chancellor of the university, Prof Wale Balalakin.

Making his speech, Prof. Babalakin took time to explain the challenges facing the education sector, as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) just embarked on yet another strike. He noted that until the nation joins to implement the 25 percent budget allocation to education as prescribed by the United Nations, the sector may still remain in comatose. He also informed that for a hitchfree academic pursuit, the sector needs not less than N2 trillion yearly.

Cross section of foreign dignitaries at the occasion

He therefore, declared proceedings of the 2018 conference open, paving the way for Mr. John Momoh, who was the Keynote speaker, to present his paper.
In his speech, Momoh, who is also an alumnus of UNILAG, called for assistance from the NPA in using their psychological prowess to tame the tide of culture as well as economic mismanagement.

Head, Psychology Dept, UNILAG, Prof Esther Akinsola, decorating an inductee

Shortly after Mr. Momoh’s speech, the grand induction of one Nigeria’s greatest achievers in the academic field, the Nobel Laureate in Literature, Prof. Wole Soyinka, was held. He was inducted as honorary Fellow of the Nigeria Psychological Association, and he was decorated by a body of egg heads present led by Prof Babalakin, and accomplished poet, Prof John Pepper Clark.

Soyinka agreed to be robed, but refused to be capped, saying “sorry, I can’t take your cap: I already have a cap on my head.”

Prof Wole Soyinka, expressing his appreciation

In his response, Soyinka was only full of appreciation, acknowledging the fact that he who was meant to speak, has already spoken.
“Thank you thank you and thank you very much indeed,” he said.

The President, Pan African Psychology Union, Professor Seths Cooper, who came in with a team of professionals from different African countries including Monde Kote from Botswana, Jane Kagaari from Uganda, Asefat H. Reta from Ethiopia, Debra Mochando from Zimbabwe and Andrew Zamani from Nigeria, also delivered his speech as the guest speaker.

Afterwards, new members, among whom was Professor Uche Mbamadu, were inducted into the Nigeria Psychological Association, with fanfare and much applause.

Cross section of participants

In her appreciation, the Head, Department of Psychology, University of Lagos, who is also the Head of Developmental Psychology Division, Professor Foluke Akinsola, appreciated all for coming, espcially the special invitees, who despite their tight schedule, made themselves available for the epoch occasion.

The day was rounded up with special quiz competition and reports on various funded researches.

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Tinubu Forced Obi, Kwankwaso to Work Together – Dele Momodu

Published

2 days ago

May 7, 2026

Eric

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Dele Momodu, has claimed that President Bola Tinubu is the one who forced opposition leaders such as Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso into working together ahead of the 2027 elections.

In an interview on Channels Television on Wednesday, Momodu argued that the current unity among some opposition figures is not born out of genuine long-term commitment but is a reaction to pressure from the ruling government.

“Tinubu forced all of them together. And that is why they all moved in one direction. Which would have been beautiful, because it would have been like a two-party race,” Momodu said.

The publisher of Ovation International made the comment while reacting to the defection of Obi and Kwankwaso to the Nigeria Democratic Congress.

Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, dumped the ADC on Sunday alongside former New Nigeria People’s Party presidential candidate, Kwankwaso, citing legal disputes within the coalition and a toxic political climate.

The move sparked debate about a possible joint presidential ticket between the two opposition figures in the 2027 election.

Momodu, however, warned that the political situation has changed significantly since the 2023 election and cautioned against assumptions of automatic voter retention for major candidates.

“Are you saying that Tinubu will retain all the 8 million plus people that voted for him last time? How are you sure… What is the guarantee that Obi and Kwankwaso are the only people who will retain all those who voted for them last time? The situation has changed,” he queried.

Momodu added that if Tinubu allows a free and fair election, “he might not even get 3 million votes.”

He cited the poor performance of some G5 governors who could not secure senatorial seats in their states, including Enugu, Abia, and Benue, as evidence of shifting voter loyalty.

On coalition talks, the ADC chieftain said his party remains focused and steadfast.

He welcomed those willing to join but rejected any form of blackmail or the idea that victory depends on a single individual.

“Those who want to join should join. Those who do not want to join, you cannot succumb to blackmail. That only one man can make us win,” he declared.

He noted that the 2019 alliance between Atiku Abubakar and Obi did not produce victory, while their separate contests in 2023 also failed to unseat the ruling party.

He advised political actors to remain calm, quoting his late unlettered mother: “Stop running from whatever is chasing you, because you might run into what is chasing you.”

He wished the former Anambra governor well in testing his popularity elsewhere and stressed that no one should be forced out of the race based on one person’s claims.

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Nigerians Won’t Eat Your Bogus GDP Figures, ADC Tells FG

Published

2 days ago

May 7, 2026

Eric

The African Democratic Congress (ADC), on Wednesday, faulted the Federal government’s celebration of Nigeria’s reported GDP growth, saying the figures do not reflect the economic strain facing ordinary citizens.

The party’s position speaks to a growing gap between official claims of progress and the daily reality of rising food prices, shrinking incomes, job losses and mounting business costs across the country.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said economic growth is meaningless if it does not improve how people actually live.

“People do not eat GDP,” Abdullahi said.

The party said millions of Nigerians remain trapped in hunger, inflation, unemployment and weakening purchasing power despite government claims of recovery.

Rejecting the government’s narrative, the ADC said, “The African Democratic Congress (ADC) rejects the Federal Government’s attempt to use headline GDP figures to whitewash the deep economic suffering Nigerians are currently enduring across the country.

“No government should be celebrating economic statistics while millions of its citizens are battling hunger, poverty, collapsing purchasing power, and rising hopelessness.

“The reality of the Nigerian economy is not what is written in government presentations. The reality is what Nigerians confront every day in markets, on farms, in factories, in shops, and in their homes.”

The party pointed to intensifying pressure on households and businesses nationwide.

Abdullahi said: “Food prices are unbearable. Transportation costs have become punitive. Small businesses are shutting down daily under the crushing weight of inflation, energy costs, and weak consumer demand. Salaries have lost value. Families who once lived modestly are now struggling to survive.

“Economic growth that does not reduce suffering, create jobs, improve incomes, or restore dignity to citizens is empty growth. Growth that only exists in official reports while citizens descend deeper into hardship is not meaningful progress.”

The ADC also questioned what Nigerians are being asked to celebrate under current conditions.

The party said, “The purpose of governance is not to manage public relations for economic statistics. The purpose of governance is to improve the living conditions of the people.

“What exactly should Nigerians celebrate? The fact that food inflation continues to devastate households? That millions of young Nigerians remain unemployed or underemployed? That businesses are collapsing faster than new ones are emerging? That more citizens are slipping into poverty despite working harder than ever?”

Calling for a shift in approach, the party urged the government to prioritise measurable improvements in citizens’ welfare over headline figures.

The ADC said: “A government that is serious about economic recovery would show humility, acknowledge the pain Nigerians are experiencing, and focus on delivering measurable improvements in living conditions instead of celebrating figures that have no meaning to hungry citizens.

“The ADC believes that the true test of economic policy is simple: Can Nigerians live better today than they did yesterday? For millions of Nigerians, the answer is no.

“Nigeria needs an economy that works for ordinary people, not an economy that only looks impressive in presentations to investors and international institutions.

“Until growth is felt in the homes of ordinary citizens, through affordable food, stable electricity, decent jobs, lower business costs, and improved purchasing power, this government has no moral basis to declare economic success.”

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I’m Not Leaving ADC, Rhodes-Vivour Vows

Published

4 days ago

May 5, 2026

Eric

The 2023 governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP), in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has opted out of the Obidient Movement, saying he is not leaving the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

Rhodes-Vivour is a staunch supporter of Peter Obi, who moved from the ADC to the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, on Sunday.

Since Obi and his prospective 2027 running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, joined NDC, there has been a gale of defections from the ADC to NDC.

However, in a statement on Tuesday, Rhodes-Vivour said himself and his team would remain in ADC to fight for a better Nigeria.

“To those who have made the difficult decision to move on to a new platform, I offer my genuine respect and best wishes.

“These are hard choices, We are all fighting for a better Nigeria, even when our roads diverge. I want to make it clear that I am staying in the ADC,” he said.