The Nigerian Association of Clinical Psychologists (NACP) has honoured some of its members with Fellowship awards in recognition of their outstanding professional achievements.
The Fellowship induction and honours ceremony was held in Abuja, celebrating the recipients’ significant roles in public service, entrepreneurship, and community development within the healthcare sector.
In his address, one of the awardees, Casmir Nnaemeka, Chief Medical Therapist and Rehabilitator at Peace Neurocentre Hospital, Abuja, described the recognition as a call to higher responsibility.
“Today, the association deemed it fit to bestow upon me one of the highest awards in the Nigerian psychological community. Being made a fellow means more tasks.
I need to strive and work harder to sustain the standards that earned me this honour.
“I am going to double my efforts. Previously, I could do many things with less scrutiny, but now, the spotlight is on me. I need to be more careful, more sensitive, and more dedicated to the ideals of the NACP than ever before,” Nnaemeka said.
Project Officer with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Dr Japhet Makama Ayele, connected his work in migration to mental health, highlighting the importance of their intersection.
“We look at people’s well-being when they move because, at IOM, we believe that migration should be coordinated and a matter of choice. When it is organized, it can benefit both the individual and the host country.
“However, as a result of movement, whether voluntary or forced due to displacement, war, or climate change, people can experience issues that affect their mental health. The reason for migration alone can be a cause for mental health concerns.
“It is an honour to receive this award as a fellow, and it instills a sense of responsibility. Having the association recognise you with its highest membership grade will reinforce my commitment to keep working for this beautiful association and profession,” Ayele stated.
The ceremony also featured an emotional testimony from Dr. Pamela Arnold Udoka, the Welfare and Ceremonial Officer and Acting National Policy Secretary of the NACP, who recounted her unconventional journey from theater arts to clinical psychology.
“I was overwhelmed; I almost shed tears. If you know my background, I came from a theater arts background. I retrained as a clinical psychologist, earning a Pre-MSc, MSc, MPhil, and a PhD in the field,” she said.
She explained that her shift in career was inspired by her work with children, saying, “As a theater artist, I specialized in children’s theater. While running workshops, I noticed children exhibiting what I would call abnormal behaviour. My husband suggested I study psychology to help them.
“It was at the University of Lagos that I first learned about domestic violence and spousal abuse. Coming from a blissful marriage, I was shocked. This led me to study the ‘Causes of Marital Conflict’ for my MPhil and later a PhD on ‘Interventions to Resolve Marital Conflicts and Sexual Issues.’”
Udoka charged the new inductees to uphold the highest standards, stating, “The Fellowship is not just an honour but a duty to serve the profession and society.”
The annual Fellowship induction is a cornerstone event for the NACP, recognising members who have demonstrated sustained excellence in character, knowledge, and service to the profession.
