Minister urges FG to collaborate with psychologists to promote change agenda

The Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, has urged the Federal Government to work closely with psychologists to promote its change  agenda.

The minister gave the advice at a public lecture he delivered at the 40th Anniversary of the Department of Psychology, University of Ibadan on Friday.

The lecture was titled: “ Psychology and the Change Agenda”.

According to him, psychologists have the skills needed to bring about the expected change more than any other group of professionals.

The minister, who said the topic of the lecture aptly reflected the political spirit of Nigeria, added that the desired change should cover all spheres of life.

“The change agenda of the present administration in Nigeria is, no doubt, laudable.

“However , there is need to consciously identify the needs for and areas of change.

“Psychologists can effectively work with other professionals – scientists and change agents – to bring about the positive change that we all seriously yearn for in Nigeria today,” he said.

The Secratary to the Ondo State Government (SSG), Dr Rotimi Adelola, said the future of Nigeria was hinged on the ability of the Federal Government to implement its change agenda.

Adelola, who is an Alumnus of the department, stated that professional psychological inputs have contributed immensely to the success of the National Orientation Movement and other programmes of government.

“The purpose of the change agenda is to control the overt and covert behaviour of Nigerians.

“The individual is the unit of observation as well as unit of analysis in the change agenda,” he added.

Adelola, however, stated that the ultimate change Nigeria needs is true federalism.

He said true federalism had the capacity to accelerate development.