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| Akwash |
Psychological
service centre at NSUK panacea to illicit drug use – Prof Akwash
service centre at NSUK panacea to illicit drug use – Prof Akwash
Professor
Francis Akwash is the head of department (HOD) of Psychology at Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK). In
this interview with Dominic Akpensuen, he explains the desire of staff and
students to build a world-class psychological service centre that will address
illicit drug use.
Francis Akwash is the head of department (HOD) of Psychology at Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK). In
this interview with Dominic Akpensuen, he explains the desire of staff and
students to build a world-class psychological service centre that will address
illicit drug use.
The don commends stakeholders who are working
diligently towards achieving the centre.
diligently towards achieving the centre.
What is the outcome
of the launching of appeal fund for the psychological service centre?
of the launching of appeal fund for the psychological service centre?
It is true
that the desire to have a psychological service centre was born by the Department
of Psychology, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, as a result of many challenges.
One of these is the use of illicit drugs and related crimes committed on a
daily basis in our society. We are on
course to meeting the demand.
that the desire to have a psychological service centre was born by the Department
of Psychology, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, as a result of many challenges.
One of these is the use of illicit drugs and related crimes committed on a
daily basis in our society. We are on
course to meeting the demand.
The university
has already provided the site for the centre, but lacks the financial capacity
to build it alone, for this major challenge, we decided that the best option is
to organise a launching of appeal fund to seek donations from stakeholders and
philanthropists who will support us to actualise our dream.
has already provided the site for the centre, but lacks the financial capacity
to build it alone, for this major challenge, we decided that the best option is
to organise a launching of appeal fund to seek donations from stakeholders and
philanthropists who will support us to actualise our dream.
During the
launching, a lot of things happened; people made empty promises and talked big
grammars without financial support. But we are determined, and focused. So, we are still making strategic plans on how
we can generate funds and start building the psychological service health centre
of our dream.
launching, a lot of things happened; people made empty promises and talked big
grammars without financial support. But we are determined, and focused. So, we are still making strategic plans on how
we can generate funds and start building the psychological service health centre
of our dream.
What is the
way forward?
way forward?
I want you
to have an idea of what drives a dream and makes it a reality. On our own side, we cannot relent until the
centre is established. We have therefore, devised a peculiar plan towards looking
for counterpart funding that will make our dream come true.
to have an idea of what drives a dream and makes it a reality. On our own side, we cannot relent until the
centre is established. We have therefore, devised a peculiar plan towards looking
for counterpart funding that will make our dream come true.
Have you asked
the state government for assistance?
the state government for assistance?
We sincerely
appreciate the Emir of Keffi, Dr Chindo Yamusa III, for the support from Keffi Emirate
council. We also appreciate chairman, Keffi LGC, Alh Sani Maigoro, for giving
us financial support to start the building. We also give kudos to the vice chancellor,
Professor Suleiman Bala Muhammad who has keen interest in the building of the centre.
appreciate the Emir of Keffi, Dr Chindo Yamusa III, for the support from Keffi Emirate
council. We also appreciate chairman, Keffi LGC, Alh Sani Maigoro, for giving
us financial support to start the building. We also give kudos to the vice chancellor,
Professor Suleiman Bala Muhammad who has keen interest in the building of the centre.
Do you feel
disappointed by the stakeholders’ promises?
disappointed by the stakeholders’ promises?
What I want
you to understand is having an idea and transmuting it into a reality. This is what I want you to take note. We shall continue to work hard and engage more
ideas and map up plans to ensure that our dream comes true. We are not disappointed; we are determined and
focused. We are looking forward to
partnering anybody, organisation or group of people to get funds to build the
centre
you to understand is having an idea and transmuting it into a reality. This is what I want you to take note. We shall continue to work hard and engage more
ideas and map up plans to ensure that our dream comes true. We are not disappointed; we are determined and
focused. We are looking forward to
partnering anybody, organisation or group of people to get funds to build the
centre
What is your
appeal to the governor?
appeal to the governor?
We thank the
Nasarawa state governor, Engr Abdullahi Sule for taking education as his
cardinal objective. We have visited Nasarawa State Government House, Lafia, but
the governor was absent. However, we are in touch with his office for
assistance.
Nasarawa state governor, Engr Abdullahi Sule for taking education as his
cardinal objective. We have visited Nasarawa State Government House, Lafia, but
the governor was absent. However, we are in touch with his office for
assistance.
What is the estimated
cost of establishing the centre?
cost of establishing the centre?
The
estimated cost to build the centre which will function effectively is put at N243,978,790.5
estimated cost to build the centre which will function effectively is put at N243,978,790.5
I want to
assure that if the centre is built, the university community will benefit a lot
from it. The centre will serve as the institution’s internally generated revenue
(IGR) because people will come for counseling. It will also serve as a research
centre. Students of the department shall
benefit by the centre by doing their internship in it. It will create employment and address the
challenges of drug abuse.
assure that if the centre is built, the university community will benefit a lot
from it. The centre will serve as the institution’s internally generated revenue
(IGR) because people will come for counseling. It will also serve as a research
centre. Students of the department shall
benefit by the centre by doing their internship in it. It will create employment and address the
challenges of drug abuse.