Buhari Signs Counselling Practitioners Council Of Nigeria Bill Into Law

President Muhammadu Buhari has signed the Counselling Practitioners Council of Nigeria, CASSOON, bill into law

The bill allows for gazetting and legitimate operation of the council in Nigeria.

The national president of CASSON, Prof Elizabeth Egbochukwu told journalists in a press conference in Abuja that Buhari signed the bill on July 29, 2022.

She said this came 26 years after the association got its first certificate of registration.

On the fundamental objectives of the association, she said, “Counselling has been centrifugally a school-based activity, helping learners to actualize their academic potentials and make appropriate career decisions. These goals remain central to the core professional focus of the Counselling Association of Nigeria.”

Egbochukwu said with the establishment and passage of CASSON’s bill, ‘The Counselling Practitioners’ Council of Nigeria’ is now in a position to offer much more service to the country’s educational sector.

“The bill was assented to by the President of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari on 29th July, 2022, that is 26 years after the association got her 1st Certificate of Registration on 22nd April, 1996. The following members were duly appointed trustees of counselling – Prof. Olu Makinde, Prof. C.G.M. Bakare, Prof, P, Mallum, Prof. Frank Carew and Dr, MRS C.C. Achebe.

“On March 14, 2019, CASSON went back to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to update its certificate of registration. However, the trustees previously registered on April 22,1996, have by special resolution, reconstituted the Board of Trustees as follows: Prof. Frank Carew, Prof. Ayo Hammed, Prof. Mohammed Ibrahim Yakassai, Prof. Bulama Kagu, Dr Pat Nwamuo, Prof. Olaniyi Bojuwoye, Prof. Daniel Denga, Prof. Ibrahim Kolo, Prof. Elizabeth O. Egbochuku and Prof. Roibito Ekanem,” she said.

According to her, “the Counselling Practitioners’ Council of Nigeria Act seeks to establish the Counselling Practitioners Council of Nigeria for the conduct of qualifying examinations, regulating the counselling profession, and determining standard of knowledge and skill required of persons seeking to become members of the counselling profession in Nigeria.

The bill was first read on the floor of the Senate on 1st March 2018.