Not all academic challenges are spiritual —Revd Ayenibiowo

Christians have been urged to tackle mental issues the right way by ensuring a well-rounded relationship at school, work and in the family.

This formed the submission at the Chapel of Christ Our Light, University of Lagos, last Sunday, at an interactive session on the psychological experiences of persons in the academic community.

The moderator, Reverend (Professor) Bolaji Owasanoye, who stated that all – students and lecturers – are students in the school of life, noted the importance of asking questions to gain clarity, encouraged students to evaluate lecturers, urging students at crossroads to report burning concerns to the chaplain if they did not feel comfortable talking to lecturers.

He said: “Don’t take only your peers’ experiences as the valid point. God’s design is not for anyone to fail. Suicide is never an option for anyone, as challenges are only temporary.”

Reverend (Dr) Kehinde Ayenibiowo spoke on the frustrations students faced and the psychological effects.

She noted the peculiarities of the distractions an institution like the University of Lagos may offer and restated the need for students to be focused.

While condemning examination malpractice, describing it as a setup for frustration, she gave recommendations for handling challenges as: assess the situation; address the problem; realise that not everything is a spiritual attack, and pray and work as if it all depends on pray and work.

While another facilitator, Dean, Faculty of Science, UNILAG, Professor Dotun Adekunle, stated that to achieve success in academics, one must note the importance of prayers, and the need to persevere to attain victory, Mr Omotola Omotola spoke on the benefits of networking within the academic community.