Nigerians Need to be Educated on Stressors, Coping Strategies Against Mental Health Disorders- Foundation

By: Michael Mike

An empowerment foundation, Webmark Empowerment Foundation has advocated the need to educate Nigerians on strategies to identify stressors and be conversant with with our to cope with them in order to significantly reduce the risk of mental health disorders in the country.

The foundation said there is an urgent need to raise an awareness about the critical impact of stressors on mental health and the proactive measures that can be taken to prevent mental health disorders across the country, during a virtual event it held on Friday in Abuja in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Lugbe FHA Estate, Connect Her Network Foundation, and Secure the Future International Initiative to commemorate the 2024 World Mental Health Day themed “Health at Work”.

The World Mental Health Day is celebrated annually on Oct. 10, to raise awareness about mental health around the world and to mobilise efforts to support those experiencing mental health issues.

Speaking at the event, a Mental Health rehabilitation professional, Dr. Saadatu Adamu, highlighted the psychological effects of stress and its potential to lead to mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression.

She said: “Mental health is how we think, feel and act. Stress is a silent epidemic that can manifest in various ways, affecting not just individuals but an entire society.”

She added that: “By learning to identify stressors and implementing coping strategies, we can significantly reduce the risk of mental health disorders.”

Adamu also recommended some practical techniques for stress management, including mindfulness practices, physical exercise, and the importance of social support systems.

Also speaking, Webmark Empowerment Foundation trustee member, Dr. Maha Michael said that one in four Nigerians, approximately fifty million people, are suffering from some sort of mental illness according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Concerned about these statistics, he advised citizens to take their mental health more seriously especially with the pressure of prevailing economic challenges.

He also noted the growing concern over the mental health crisis exacerbated by various societal pressures, including economic instability, social isolation, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Michael added that recognising and addressing these stressors is essential for fostering a healthier society.

On her part, founder Connect Her Network (known for empowering women and girls),
Ambassador Victoria Ojiah emphasised the unique challenges faced by marginalized groups.

She said: “Women and girls are particularly susceptible to stressors related to societal expectations and economic pressures. It is crucial to provide them with the tools and resources to manage their mental health effectively.”

Ojiah also highlighted the crucial role of mental health to overall wellbeing, saying that good health encompassed physical, mental, social, spiritual, and financial aspects; going beyond the mere absence of diseases or infirmity.

The Programme Coordinator of the Foundation, Mrs Alukwe Ugochinyere reiterated their commitment to breaking the stigma associated with mental health disorders by bringing these issue to the forefront, to encourage individuals to seek help when needed and to support one another in their mental health journeys.

Nigerians Need to be Educated on Stressors, Coping Strategies Against Mental Health Disorders- Foundation

The School of Politics, Policy and Governance Announces Graduation Ceremony for the Class of 2024: Shaping a New Generation of Leaders to Disrupt Bad Governance in Nigeria

By:Michael Mike

Celebrated and award-winning novelist, Chimamanda Adichie, will be the keynote speaker at the Graduation Ceremony of the class of 2024 School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG) scheduled to hold on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at the Shehu Musa Yar’adua Centre, Abuja.

The event, with the theme “People, Politics, Policies and the Power of Words”, will also see two-time Minister of the Federal Republic and founder SPPG, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili; the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) SPPG, Ms Alero Ayida-Otobo and the Dean, SPPG, Dr Abiola Akiyode address the graduands who are poised to become transformative leaders in Nigeria and beyond.

Speaking with Tribune Online in Abuja, the CEO, SPPG, Alero Ayida-Otobo, said the School aims to disrupt the cycle of poor governance by training a new generation of ethical and effective leaders through its innovative curriculum.

She added that the time is ripe for Africa to take the bulls by the horns, challenge the status quo, and bring on board in their numbers people with character, and competence to redirect the African course.

“For as long as Africa continues on the path of very poor politics, a political culture that subordinates the common good for personal, private or narrow interest, there is no chance of Africa achieving economic development. This event underscores SPPG’s commitment to cultivating a new breed of leaders dedicated to improving governance in Nigeria and Africa. As Nigeria grapples with ongoing governance challenges, the importance of equipping leaders with character, competence, and capacity to serve the people cannot be overemphasised.
“So, if Africans need to transform our politics and we just sit back as citizens hoping that those who have entrenched poor governance as a matter of political culture will someday have a Damascus experience, we will wait forever. We have proven that people of character, competence, and capacity will enter Africa’s politics in great numbers. This will challenge the existing monopolistic pipeline of poor politicians giving bad governance.
“The graduation theme, “People, Politics, Policies and the Power of Words,” reflects SPPG’s mission to prioritise citizen engagement and foster a governance model centred on the needs of the people. We are dedicated to transforming politics and governance across Nigeria and Africa by training a new generation of political leaders with values-based, disruptive thinking. The ceremony will include keynote addresses from esteemed leaders and a celebration of the graduates’ accomplishments,” Ayida-Otobo said in a statement.

The School of Politics, Policy and Governance Announces Graduation Ceremony for the Class of 2024: Shaping a New Generation of Leaders to Disrupt Bad Governance in Nigeria

Four Nigerian Professors May Take Up Prominent Positions At Gambian University

By: Michael Mike

Four Nigerian Professors with Engineering backgrounds are set to take on key positions at the University of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology (USET) in The Gambia.

This development follows the submission of a report by a taskforce set up by the Gambia’s Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology and the Governing Council of USET.

The Ministry has requested endorsement from Nigerians for their appointment. The letter requesting endorsement, addressed to the Nigerian Mission in Kanifing and copied to the Director General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, was received on Friday in Abuja.

The Volunteer- Professors were selected after a thorough process, following openings created by the imminent end of the tenure of the current Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof.Samuel Owusu-Ofori, whose tenure comes to an end on September 30 this year.

The Professors and their positions include:
Vice Chancellor – *Nazmat Surajudeen- Bakinde; Vice Chancellor (Academics)- Prof. Ado Yusuf Abdulfatah; Director, Research and Grants- Prof. Akinlabi Oyetunji; as well as Director, Academic Planning and Quality Assurance- Prof. David Terfa Gundu.

According to a statement signed by the Special Assistant to the DG, NTAC, on Media and Publicity, Nkem Anyata-Lafia made available to the media on Saturday, the deployment of this crop of Volunteers by NTAC to The Gambia earlier in the year as part of the 24-month Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps scheme, was aimed to provide technical assistance to that country.

The statement added that the current move by the Gambian authorities remains significant, as it highlights the strong partnership between the country and Nigeria in the areas of education and technical co-operation.

It will be recalled that The Gambia remains one of the first and highest country-subscribers to the TAC Scheme and has at the last count received over 12,000 Nigerians as Volunteers, including Engineers, Lawyers and Medical Professionals since the establishment of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps in 1987.

Four Nigerian Professors May Take Up Prominent Positions At Gambian University