Campus News

Counseling Unit holds ‘Heart-to-Heart Talk’ with students

By Mustafa Abubakar

The University of Ilorin Counselling and Human Development Centre (UCHDC), in collaboration with the Faculty of Education, has organised a special counselling day programme for students. The programme was tagged “Heart-to-Heart Talk.”

The event, held last Thursday (May 15, 2025) at the Faculty of Education Lecture Theatre, brought together students, health experts, and academic leaders together with a view to promoting mental health awareness and the importance of open emotional expression.

Declaring the event open, the Dean of the Faculty of Education, Prof. Lasiele Alabi Yahaya, commended the initiative as he emphasised the role of counselling in fostering students’ academic success and psychological stability.

Prof. Yahaya urged students to take advantage of the University’s counselling resources to navigate the complexities of academic and personal life.

In her address, the Director of UCHDC, Dr Foluke Bolu-Steve, charged students to develop the habit of seeking help from professional counsellors whenever they face emotional or psychological difficulties rather than taking personal or individual decisions, which sometimes lead to negative outcomes.

“Speaking to a trained counsellor is not a sign of weakness but a bold step towards healing and clarity,” she noted.

In her presentation, Dr Eunice O. Isaac of the Department of Behavioural Sciences, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), spoke extensively on suicide ideation, suicide attempts, and prevention strategies.

Dr Isaac urged students to watch out for warning signs in themselves and others and not to shy away from seeking professional support.

A Principal Medical Officer at the University of Ilorin Health Centre, Dr Hikmah O. Amoloye, spoke on hormonal imbalance and prostate health.

Dr Amoloye explained how hormonal shifts can affect students’ physical and emotional health, and encouraged regular health check-ups.

Also speaking the  Deputy Director, Centre for Research, In-House Training and Development (CREDIT), Dr M. L. A. Mustapha, discussed the necessity of open dialogue in coping with life’s challenges.

She emphasised that “heart-to-heart” talks are not just therapeutic but can be transformative in building resilience.

In her remarks, a University Counselling Officer, Mrs Zainab A. Basambo, expressed appreciation to the University management for its continuous support toward promoting students’ welfare.

Speaking on behalf of male students, the President, Association of Students’ Counsellor in Nigeria (ASCON), Mr Mathew Ibiwoye, lauded the organisers for providing a safe space to discuss sensitive issues.

“This programme has opened my eyes to things we often ignore. I now understand the value of talking and listening,” he said.

Also speaking, Miss Memunat W. Maliki, President, Association of Social Sciences Education Students (ASSES), described the event as a “life-saving intervention.”

She urged her peers, especially females, not to suppress their emotions, saying that speaking out is powerful and healing.