National News
APN Blames Increasing Rate Of Mental Health Cases In Northeast On Insurgency
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
National News
VP Shettima, Zulum Attend Eid Prayers at Ramat Square as Worshippers Observe Sallah Peacefully in Maiduguri
VP Shettima, Zulum Attend Eid Prayers at Ramat Square as Worshippers Observe Sallah Peacefully in Maiduguri
By: Our Reporter
Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, joined thousands of muslim faithful to observe the Eid prayers at Ramat Square, Maiduguri.
The two units prayer were observed peacefully at the main Eid ground and other prayer grounds across the state under tight security, marking the end of the month-long Ramadan fast.
In a sallah message shortly after the sermon by the Imam Idaini of Borno, Shettiima Mamman Saleh, the Vice President called for unity and peaceful coexistence in the state and the country as a whole.
Senator Shettima assures the Federal Government Gommitment to protecting the lives and properties of the citizenry, stressing that the fight against insurgency would be tackled head-on.
The Imam Idaini admonished worshippers to imbibe the lessons learned during the holy month and encouraged Muslim faithful to give alms to the poor (zakatul fitr) and to fast six days in the month of Shawwal to receive Allah’s bounties and rewards.
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, in a sallah message, called on faithful to recharge their spiritual beings towards rebuilding a secure, peaceful, and prosperous Borno.
He saluted the courage, resilience, and commitment of the people to all initiatives aimed at deepening security and peace-building among the various components of society, fragmented by the Boko Haram insurgency over the years.
The Eid prayer was attended by the Shehu of Borno, Shehu Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Almin El-Kanemi; the Borno State Deputy Governor, Umar Usman Kadafur; the APC Deputy National Chairman, North, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume; and Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan SAN, Minister of State for Regional Development.
Other dignitaries include members of the House of Representatives and the Borno State House of Assembly, former deputy governors, the Secretary to the State Government, Commissioners, APC stalwarts, and other top government officials.
VP Shettima, Zulum Attend Eid Prayers at Ramat Square as Worshippers Observe Sallah Peacefully in Maiduguri
Eid-el-Fitr: IPCR Urges Nigerians to Embrace Unity, Peaceful Coexistence
By: Michael Mike
The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has called on Nigerians to strengthen unity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence as Muslims across the country celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, the Director-General of the institute, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, congratulated the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and around the world on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast.
He said the occasion, which signifies the end of a period of fasting, reflection and spiritual devotion, provides an opportunity for citizens to renew their commitment to the values of peace, compassion and national unity.
Ochogwu urged Muslims to sustain the virtues cultivated during Ramadan—such as self-discipline, patience, charity and piety—beyond the festive period, stressing that such values are essential for building harmonious communities and strengthening the nation.
According to him, Nigerians must also rise above religious, ethnic and political differences and embrace mutual respect and peaceful coexistence as vital ingredients for national development.
“At a time when the country is confronted with complex challenges, unity of purpose and collective responsibility are crucial to overcoming divisions and building a more secure and prosperous nation,” he said.
The institute also expressed concern over recent security incidents in parts of the country, including the tragic bomb blast in Maiduguri, Borno State, which claimed several lives.
Ochogwu extended condolences to families of the victims, praying for the repose of the deceased and speedy recovery for those injured in the attack.
He reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to its mandate of promoting peacebuilding, conflict prevention and resolution across Nigeria, noting that IPCR would continue to work with government institutions, communities and other stakeholders to address the root causes of conflict.
The IPCR boss further urged citizens to remain vigilant, cooperate with security agencies and actively support peacebuilding initiatives in their communities.
“Peace is a shared responsibility, and every Nigerian has a role to play in safeguarding it,” he added.
Ochogwu also prayed that the Eid-el-Fitr celebration would usher in renewed hope, healing and unity for Nigeria while advancing peace, stability and national progress.
Eid-el-Fitr: IPCR Urges Nigerians to Embrace Unity, Peaceful Coexistence
National News
VP Shettima Visits Victims Of Multiple Explosions In Maiduguri, Assures Of FG’s Tough Response To Terrorism
VP Shettima Visits Victims Of Multiple Explosions In Maiduguri, Assures Of FG’s Tough Response To Terrorism
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has restated the Federal Government’s resolve to defeat terrorism, declaring that those behind recent attacks in the country will be decisively confronted.
He noted that beyond the presidential directive to security chiefs, the Federal Government was investing more in equipment and other logistics to boost the fight against terrorism across the country.
Senator Shettima spoke on Wednesday in Maiduguri when he visited victims of the bomb blast who are receiving treatment at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
Condemning the gory multiple explosions in Maiduguri on Monday in which more than 100 people were affected by the incident, with over 20 confirmed dead, he described the perpetrators as barbaric, stressing that no cause justifies the killing of innocent people.
The Vice President said his visit was to sympathise with the injured and families affected by the tragedy, assuring of government’s support through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the North East Development Commission, and the Borno State Government.
The Vice President was accompanied by Borno State Deputy Governor Usman Kadafur; NEMA Director-General, Zubaida Umar; Chief Medical Director of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Professor Ahmed Ahijo, and other top government officials.
VP Shettima Visits Victims Of Multiple Explosions In Maiduguri, Assures Of FG’s Tough Response To Terrorism
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