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APN Blames Increasing Rate Of Mental Health Cases In Northeast On Insurgency

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APN Blames Increasing Rate Of Mental Health Cases In Northeast On Insurgency

By Francis Okoye

The Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN) has blamed the rising cases of mental health disorders in northeast to the decade Boko Haram insurgency that traumatised the people of the region.

The APN equally decried the lack of mental health desk offices in many states of the federation which it said would negatively affect the implementation of the mental health Act at sub – national level hence it called for the establishment of mental health desks in all ministries of health across the federation.

This was contained in a communique read by the APN President, Prof. Taiwo James Obindo during the association’s 54th Annual General Meeting with the theme, “National Mental Health Reform; Prospect and Strategy of Implementation of the National Mental health Act 202” held yesterday in Maiduguri.

Prof. Obindo noted that many of the populace required basic mental health services that could not be afforded due to their economic status.

He also decried the alarming rate of mental illness due multi-dimensional factors including kidnapping, unemployment, underemployment, loss of loved ones, insecurity and economic hardships in the country.

“The high sycophant substances have increased mental health numbers, the factors we have now can make someone have a mental health illness. I think it is important to appreciate those who offer psycho-social support intervention to people who are being displaced by the insurgency.

“It is about 25 percent as of 2006, but with insurgency, kidnapping and all forms of insecurity, the figure has increased ,but when we look at the northeast, we should be talking of 50 percent of the populace affected by mental health disorders,” he said,

The APN President said during the pre-conference medical outreach by the Association, over 500 patients were attended to in the host community in Maiduguri.

“We treated a total of 500 patients with all different kinds of illness; If we had more time you can be sure that over 5,000 would be reached; we were able to see quite a set of patients,” Prof Obindo added.

He urged governments to provide adequate training for medical students, residents, doctors and other specialists.

Prof. Obindo further highlighted that in attendance for the annual conference were more than 130 physical and virtual Psychiatrics and Psychiatrics- in – training, and other health workers from across the 36 states of the federation and the federal capital territory.

He said the conference lecture tagged” Prof. Ayo Binitie annual lecture which was delivered by Prof . Abiodun Adewuya , highlighted the need for clear implementation strategies for the National Mental Health Act by all stakeholders.

” The sub – themes were also aptly discussed as they focused on other key mental health issues that included ; Brain Drain , Brain Gain and Brain Circulation : The implication and Mitigation Strategies for Mental Healthcare services in low and middle income countries by Prof. Morus Adelekan; and mental health awareness and advocacy : The Prospects of introducing Mental Health Education in Primary abd Secondary schools by Dr.Oluwayemi ecila Ogun which served as te annual Prof Adeoye Lambo lecture delivered at te dinner.

The Medical Director of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Maiduguri, Dr. Ibrahim Abdu Wakawa, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the APN for making this year’s conference a success. End

APN Blames Increasing Rate Of Mental Health Cases In Northeast On Insurgency

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We were sexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR, rescued Nigerian workers alleged

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We were sexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR, rescued Nigerian workers alleged

By: Michael Mike

Rescued 12 Nigerian trapped workers in Central African Republic (CAR) on Friday narrated their ordeal on breathing air of freedom in Nigeria, alleging that they were sexually harassed by their Chinese employers while workers at mining site.

The 12 stranded Nigerian men whose video went viral some three weeks ago finally arrived Nigeria and paid an appreciation visit to the NIDCOM office, where they were received by Chairman/ CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and other management staff.

The leader of the rescued workers, Igorigo Freeborn said it is important for the world to know that despite owing them 11 months salaries, “we were homosexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR.

“I am not ashamed to say it. I want other people to learn from it. We were treated badly there but thank God for sparing our lives to tell the stories today.

“I am one of those people who usually abuse Nigeria and I don’t think anything good can come out of the country but we were all so happy to receive help and succour from Nigeria.

“Let me use this opportunity to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the CAR Ambassador in Bangui, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) ,NEMA, Immigration Service and other government agencies for coming to our rescue almost immediately”, he said.

Freeborn said they had suffered a lot in the past 20 months that they left Nigeria and pleaded with the government to help them redress the injustices meted out to them by their employers.

He recalled how they were left stranded in the forest after work without payment leaving them starving in a harsh and unsafe living conditions. With support from the Presidency Ministry of Foreign Affairs ,NIDCOM, and the Nigerian mission, they were relocated to Bangui, provided with medical care, and eventually brought safely back home.

Welcoming back the returnees to Nigeria, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, assured them that justice will be served as the Commission in conjunction with relevant government agencies would take up the matter on their behalf.

The NIDCOM boss condemned the acts as inhumane and assured that the matter would be pursued to ensure justice is served in line with the citizen diplomacy of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

She counselled them to be of good behaviour and partner with the Commission in its advocacy on irregular migration and its consequences.

NIDCOM through Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa gave some cash support to all the returnees to enable them settle down while expecting their unpaid salaries.

She also called on well meaning Nigerians and corporate organisations to assist the Nigerians to settle down back in the country.

A cash donation from Perchstone and Greys, presented by Mr. Toyin Adenugba on behalf of Dr. Tolu Aderemi, Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the JAALS Foundation, were given to all the 12 returnees.

Adenugba explained that the support was a demonstration of belief in the evacuees’ potential, meant to serve as a seed for rebuilding their lives, supporting their families, and creating new opportunities at home.

Other rescued workers are Rotimi Kupoluyi, Ajosi Julius, Odeh Collins, Anifowoshe Yekini, Akubo Oluwaseun and Olayemi Peter Adewale.

Others were Stephen Abel Otkli, Samuel Ojochenemi, Alih Joel Muhammed, Unekwu Bala and Yusuf Bameyi.
End

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Police arrest MOPOL, security guards over warehouse burglary in Ogun

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Police arrest MOPOL, security guards over warehouse burglary in Ogun

By: Zagazola Makama

The Police in Ogun have arrested a mobile policeman and several security guards for alleged conspiracy, burglary and theft from a warehouse belonging to H.K Printing & Packaging Limited, Agbara.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on Aug. 9 at about 11:00 p.m., when a truck drove into the company premises and proceeded to the warehouse, allegedly aided by security operatives on duty.

According to the sources, Insp. Ibrahim James, attached to PMF 16 Abeokuta, was captured on CCTV moving around and allegedly leading the operation.

Another officer, Insp. Olabamipe Olaiya, posted to the same beat, was said to be absent from duty at the time.

The company’s security guards and the implicated police personnel allegedly conspired with others still at large to break into the warehouse and cart away goods whose total value is yet to be ascertained.

Police detectives led by CSP Phillips Abayomi, Acting ACP, Agbara Division, visited the scene and arrested the mobile policeman along with the private security guards on duty during the incident.

The suspects are being interrogated, while efforts are ongoing to track down fleeing accomplices and recover the stolen items.

Police arrest MOPOL, security guards over warehouse burglary in Ogun

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Police launch manhunt for herbalist over alleged ritual killing in Nasarawa

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Police launch manhunt for herbalist over alleged ritual killing in Nasarawa

By: Zagazola Makama

The Nasarawa State Police Command says it is searching for a herbalist, simply identified as Alfa, over alleged involvement in a ritual killing and attempted murder in Mararaba.

It was gathered that the case was reported by one Jamilu Abubakar, a vigilante member.

Abubakar allegedly accompanied two young men to Alfa’s residence on Aug. 12 to seek spiritual assistance purportedly to make more money through internet fraud.

“It was gathered that Alfa prepared a concoction and meat for the victims to eat. Shortly after consuming the meal, both developed severe stomach pain and were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Mararaba.

“Sadly, one of the victims, Ani Sunday, aged 21, was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty, while the second, Tosin Akurunor, is responding to treatment,” said the sources.

He said Abubakar had been arrested for his role in taking the victims to the herbalist, while the main suspect, Alfa, was at large.

Efforts are ongoing to apprehend Alfa and conclude investigations, he added.

Police launch manhunt for herbalist over alleged ritual killing in Nasarawa

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