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WHO, UN Express the Need for Media to Understand Issues Surrounding Mental Health
WHO, UN Express the Need for Media to Understand Issues Surrounding Mental Health
By: Michael Mike
The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Information Center (UNIC) have expressed the need for the media to understand the issues surrounding mental health in order to act optimally in their role to assist in tackling its numerous challenges.
Both organisations gave the advice at the two-day training programme for journalists they put together in collaboration with other UN agencies on Monday in Abuja.
The training with the theme: “Celebrating the power of community kindness” was put together to commemorate the World Mental Health Day (WMHD) celebrated globally on October 10.
Speaking at the training, the WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr Walter Kazadi, described mental health as intrinsic and instrumental to the lives of all people as it could influence how they think, feel and act.
He said mental health disorders had increased and affected 15 per cent of working-age adults globally, noting that suicide contributed to death among 15-29 years old with up to 70 per cent of them living in low and middle income countries.
He said journalists by the nature of the jobs they do face tremendous amount of pressure, especially with lot of media outfits working for 24 hours, 7 seven days a week.
He added that: “Given the importance of the work you do, there’s a need to build your capacity on mental health.
“Therefore, various topics will be covered over the next two days, including what is mental health and why we all need to have good mental health.
“Mental health is universal human right, intersection between journalists and mental health, practical strategies to prevent and/or manage common mental health conditions, and how to empower you to report on mental health issues.”
He assured that WHO would always remain committed to building journalists capacity and to empower them on different aspects of health including strategies for managing individual health.
On his part, the Director of UNIC, Mr Ronald Kayanja said the training had become important to enable journalists understand proper ways to look after their mental health.
He said: “These days, we are so conscious about physical health, but now we should also learn a lot about our mental health.
“How we report about mental health issues requires capacity building, to help us understand how to keep ourselves and also report mental health.”
Meanwhile, Dr Tunde Ojo, National Coordinator, National Mental Health Programme, Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) said the training was designed to equip journalists with necessary tools to deal with mental health issues.
Ojo said it has become imperative to understand one’s mental state, while discharging one’s duty, therefore the training was organized to promote mental wellbeing of journalists.
He added that: “Journalist can be quite vulnerable while discharging their duties and if neglected it can cause serious damage to one’s entire wellbeing.
“Journalist are exposed to lots of things daily that impact their mental health negatively; we want journalists to know how to cope with mental health, when to take break or even see an health expert when necessary.
“Understanding mental health can help journalists give better reportage about it; we believe journalists and healthcare workers are strategic, because whatever they decide to do can affect the society.”
The event which was attended by journalists from across 40 media organisations featured discussion on prevention strategies for common mental health conditions, intersection between mental health and journalism.
WHO, UN Express the Need for Media to Understand Issues Surrounding Mental Health
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Residents urged to take up employment in the Lassa General Hospital
Residents urged to take up employment in the Lassa General Hospital
By: Bodunrin Kayode
Residents of Lassa town have been urged to take up instant employment in the General Hospital Lassa in the southern senatorial zone of the state.
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum said this while on a visit to the facility which is in Lassa town recently.
The Governor decried the deliberate shying away from working in the General hospital by residents with ancestry from the town or the council area.
Zulum regretted that most of the residents with qualified medical background come home only for important holidays and run back but refuse to work for the growth of their town.
The Governor who was on a sympathy tour of the Lassa General hospital recently vowed to change the fortune of the hospital if only trained Borno doctors will be bold to pick the instant employment waiting for them in lassa.
He assured that he was going to recruit as much as five doctors to assist the hospital which has not had a doctor since 2020 when Dr Danladi the last Principal medical doctor died.
The Governor assured that he will do all he can to ensure that the promised employment is effected as soon as the doctors or nurses show up to start work.
Lassa General hospital built by missionaries in 1928 before independence became a recognized secondary facility with the full complements of medical doctors and nurses.
However, as at today the they not only lack doctors but also nurses, medical and health record workers and all manner of health workers that should run a renown facility like this General hospital.
Residents urged to take up employment in the Lassa General Hospital
News
VP Shettima: Traditional institutions Remain Irreplaceable, Will Be Preserved Under President Tinubu
VP Shettima: Traditional institutions Remain Irreplaceable, Will Be Preserved Under President Tinubu
By: Our Reporter
Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima has reiterated the commitment of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the preservation and protection of traditional institutions in Nigeria.
According to him, traditional rulers are the closest to the grassroots are the leaders and fathers of the society, and their institutions outlive every administration.

Senator Shettima gave the assurance on Friday during the the 45th Anniversary of the Emir of Gumel, HRH, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Sani II, and the Commissioning of Gumel Central Mosque in Gumel local government area of Jigawa State.
The Vice President stated that the tenure of every elective political office holder ends after eight years but the traditional institutions remains.
“Therefore, we must respect them, we must take care of them, and we must preserve as well as protect the institution,” he added.
The Vice President, who congratulated the Emir of Gumel for celebrating his 45th anniversary in good health, prayed Almighty God to spare the life of the traditional ruler to witness his Golden Jubilee and centenary celebrations.

“I am quite glad to be back home. Gumel is home. Founded in 1750 by Danjuma, this Emirate has a rich history. When Danjuma died in 1754, he was succeeded by his son, and our royal father who is celebrating his 45th anniversary as the Emir of Gumel is the 13th Emir of Gumel. He is a graduate of Political Science.
“He was a Commissioner in the cabinet of the late former governor of old Kano State, Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, before he was elevated to the throne of his ancestors. May Allah continue to bless him with good health and may his reign be long.”
VP Shettima also paid glowing tribute to His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar III, saying the Sultan “is truly a leader worthy of emulation by us all.

“He (Sultan) is a symbol of our unity. Last week, he was in Kaduna. Hardly a week passes without the Sultan criss-crossing the length and breath of this country building bridges. Your Eminence, we are very grateful to you. May Allah bless you with sound health and long life,” the Vice President said.
Senator Shettima also applauded the Governor of Jigawa state, Mallam Umar Namadi, for cultivating 10,000 hectares of wheat, which, according to him, is more than what the entire 18 northern states cultivated.
“Your Excellency, we thank you; we are mightily proud of you. May the Almighty Allah continue to strengthen our unity and understanding, ” VP Shettima said.
Earlier, Governor Namadi thanked the Vice President Shettima for honouring the invitation by the Jigawa State Government and Gumel Emirate to grace the 45th Anniversary of the reigning Emir of Gumel and the commissioning of Gumel Central Mosque.

“Your Excellency, we are deeply grateful to you for honouring us with your presence at this historic ceremony. On behalf of the Government and good people of Jigawa State, especially the people of Gumel Emirate, we thank you most sincerely for your unwavering commitment to the progress and development of our dear state, ” Governor Namadi said.
Also, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Abubakar III, preached unity, tolerance, and mutual respect among all Nigerians irrespective of their religious and cultural diversity.
The Sultan, who congratulated the Emir of Gumel for marking his 45th anniversary celebration, commended the Vice President for his dedication and commitment to the preservation of traditional institution, peace, unity and development of the country.
Other dignitaries who graced the celebration are the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadeija; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari; former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Farouk Adamu Aliyu; Deputy Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Aminu Usman, and the Speaker of Jigawa State House of Assembly, Hon. Haruna Dangaji.
Others include the Emir of Machina, HRH, Alhaji Bashir Albishir Bukar Machinama; Emir of Dutse, HRH, Muhammad Hameem Nuhu Sanusi, Emir of Hadejia, HRH, Alhaji Adamu Abubakar Maje; members of the Jigawa State Executive Council, and some members of the National Assembly, among others.
VP Shettima: Traditional institutions Remain Irreplaceable, Will Be Preserved Under President Tinubu
News
Indian High Commissioner, Abhishek Singh Presents Letter of Credence to Tinubu
Indian High Commissioner, Abhishek Singh Presents Letter of Credence to Tinubu
By: Michael Mike
The Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Abhishek Singh has presented his letter of credence to Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu.
A statement on Thursday from the India High Commission read: “The High Commission of India in Abuja is pleased to announce that H.E. Amb Abhishek Singh
formally presented his Letter of Credence to H.E. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on 4 December 2025.
“President Tinubu graciously received Amb Singh and extended his congratulations and best wishes for the assumption of his duties.”
It added that: “Marking the assumption of his duties, Amb Singh reiterated India’s commitment to further strengthen its strategic partnership with Nigeria and expressed confidence in the continued advancement of bilateral cooperation across diverse sectors.”
The statement assured that: “The High Commission of India remains committed to fostering and strengthening the strategic
partnership between India & Nigeria in the days to come.”
Indian High Commissioner, Abhishek Singh Presents Letter of Credence to Tinubu
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