The patients of the Health Centre, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife, Nigeria were treated to an Art Therapy session as a way of giving hope to the sick. The Art Therapy session was organised by Deborah Ibukunoluwa ADEROGBA, a final year student in the Department of Foreign Languages, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. The Art therapy session was tagged “Art as a Healing Therapy” and it included a donation of 25 artworks and 500 healing cards. Both walk-in patients and those on admission participated in the creation of art works and the therapy sessions.
The event was declared open by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration, Prof Yomi Daramola who commended Miss Aderogba on her selfless effort and innovative approach to healing through the outreach. He touched on how she had been committed to making the University better through several volunteering efforts, and other support to the school. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, Innovation and Development, Prof Akanni Akinyemi also commended Miss Aderogba on her unique and excellent personality which has shown through her drive and motivation. During her studentship, Miss Aderogba won different awards including the Alumni award for the Faculty of Arts. She was one of the 2023 OAU Stars, and an intern at the Central Office of Research.
The outreach convener, Miss Aderogba stated that she believes that the outreach was a good way to give back to the university community. She mentioned that holding the event at the University as a fitting way to conclude her studies at the University after holding same event at Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa, Osun state (2021), The Nigerian French Language Village Clinic, Ajara-Badary (2022) and Hospital da Criança, Martagão Gesteira in Salvador, Brazil (2023) during her studentship.
The Art as a Healing Therapy outreach aligns with SDG 3- Good Health and Wellbeing, where artistic expressions are employed to communicate health, hope and love to patients to foster recuperation and improved overall wellbeing of patients.
Also present at the outreach were Prof. Adebayo; the HOD of Foreign Languages, Dr. O.O. Osunniran; Ag. Director, Health Centre, Dr. Olatunji, HOD. Pharmacy, Phar. Akingbile, HOD Nursing, Mr. Adebisi, Dr. R.O. Ogunlusi among others.
