The Nigerian Association of Forensic Psychologists has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to approve the psychology bill in order to address the pressing issues of misplaced priorities and psychological challenges in the political landscape.
The National President of the association, Professor Harry Obi-Nwosu, made the call during the 2024 National Congress of the association held at Nasarawa State University Keffi on Tuesday.
Being a gathering of experts in the field of psychology, alongside stakeholders and representatives from security agencies, the National Congress of the association is aimed to explore how psychological methods can be applied effectively for the nation’s development.
National president of the association, Professor Harry Obi-Nwosu emphasized that the Congress was carefully planned to prompt discussions on Nigeria’s development path in the 21st century, underlining the urgent need for forensic psychologists’ deliberate involvement in planning and executing development projects, particularly those with significant security implications.
“Indeed, it is only when adequate attention is paid to psychological health of citizens at all levels that we can hope to reduce corruption and begin a meaningful process at sustainable development: the time is now”.
He suggested that apart from approving the psychology bill, the President should consider establishing departments of psychological services and research in the presidency and all government agencies, as well as appointing psychologists to strategic roles for efficient government operations.
Declaring the Congress open, the acting vice Chancellor, Nasarawa state University Keffi, Professor Abdullahi Sallau Modibbo, appraised the university’s vibrant psychology department, led by dedicated professors like Professor Andrew Zamani, stressing the significance of forensic psychology in societal development.
“I want to advise that anyone seeking for political positions must be screend my forensic psychology because leaders are not properly feet to govern. How a person embezzled 1 billion in an hour? How am a 60 year old man rape a one year daughter? Something must be wrong”
In a Keynote addressed, the commandant General, security and civil defense Corps, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, represented by Gandi Ahmed Gandi ACG Admin, Nscdc headquarters Abuja, said national development requires collective efforts and recognition of the valuable contributions of psychologists in nation-building through the Criminal Justice System.
The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, represented by commissioner of police in charge of mobile force, Deinma Abibo, discussed policy and internal security issues, emphasizing the need for inter-agency cooperation to tackle insecurity while the Managing director, G-complex Guduma, ABDULHAMED MAHMUD ZARI and the representative of correctional service(name please)? acknowledged the efforts of forensic psychologists in organizing the program and pledged their support.
Representatives from the Faculty of Social Science, Prof. Bilyaminu, Professor Andrew Zamani, and the Head of Department of Psychology, Dr. Abubakar Tafidan, expressed gratitude for the support that led to the success of the event, which also included the investiture of fellows and honorary fellows.
The theme of the Congress tagged “Psychology, Criminality: the criminal justice system and National development”.
