From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
The former Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa and former Niger State Deputy Governor, Ambassador Ahmed Musa Ibeto, has called for war against anti-social behaviour in tertiary institutions to nip insecurity in the bud in Nigeria.
In his acceptance speech as the fist Chancellor of Mercy Medical University, Iwara, Iwo in Osun state, Ibeto warned the students against anti-social behaviour, saying “Students engaging in or planning to engage in secret cults, extortion, intimidation, prostitution, etc. should know that they have two options, either change and pursue the path of rectitude or be shown the way out.”
He appreciated the founder of Mercy Medical University, Dr. Onifade Abdulfatai, for his vision and commitment to providing empathetic human capital to the healthcare sector and for founding him worthy of becoming the first chancellor of the university.
He promised to champion the values that define great institutions: academic rigor, inclusivity, integrity, and an unrelenting pursuit of knowledge that saves lives and transforms communities.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Ajibade Lawal, who delivered the maiden lecture of the university during the 2nd matriculation and initiation of Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor, called for compulsory teaching of communication in all Nursing schools to equip Nurses with knowledge of interacting with patients, particularly to help patients with mental health issues.
Lawal posited that therapeutic communication which takes place between patient and Nurse, is compulsory for those who are dealing with mental health because it fosters trust, enhances problem-solving skills, and promotes emotional and social well-being.
The Professor of Mental Health/Psychiatric Nursing said positive effect of communication as a nursing intervention cannot be underscored as studies have shown its effectiveness in improving patient outcomes.
In his lecture entitled: “The journey from insanity to sanity: Therapeutic communication as a nursing intervention in ameliorating mental health challenges,” Lawal said “with the rate at which mental health illnesses and issues are rising globally, mental health nurses must be equipped with communication skills that will promote therapeutic interaction and eventually empower this disadvantaged group of patients to be able to take charge of their health.
“It is also necessary for the provision of holistic care, which all patients have a right to receive from nurses. Hence, communication as an intervention must be part of all nursing curricula to be able to adequately train nurses in the principles and art of communication and to be able to quickly identity and appropriately meet patients’ needs,” Lawal added.