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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
Troops Raid Illegal Shanties, Clear Criminal Hideouts in Abuja
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Army Headquarters Garrison, in conjunction with Operation SWEEP, have conducted a clearance operation across several areas of the Federal Capital Territory, dismantling illegal shanties and structures suspected of providing cover for criminal activities.
The operation was conducted at about 4:00 p.m. on August 23, 2026, across Karshi, Jeje, Kurape and Nyanya areas of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
Security personnel raided and dismantled several illegal shanties and structures during the operation as part of efforts to deny criminal elements safe havens within the capital.
The operation is part of ongoing security efforts to improve surveillance and maintain control over vulnerable areas that could be exploited by criminals.
The Mai-Anguwa of Nyanya commended the troops for the operation and pledged to sustain effective communication with Army Headquarters Garrison and other security agencies by providing credible information on suspicious activities.
Security personnel are expected to sustain the operation and continue intelligence-led patrols in the affected areas to prevent criminal elements from re-establishing their presence.
The development highlights the importance of sustained community-security collaboration in identifying emerging threats and preventing criminal networks from exploiting informal settlements and unregulated structures.
Troops Raid Illegal Shanties, Clear Criminal Hideouts in Abuja
Troops Arrest Suspected Terrorist, Courier in Kogi
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of 12 Brigade have arrested two suspected terrorists, including an alleged terrorist courier linked to kidnapping activities along the Okene–Auchi road in Kogi State.
The suspects were apprehended at about 1:15 p.m. on August 23, 2026, around the Okene axis of Okene Local Government Area, following an intelligence report on the movement of suspected terrorist elements.
According to security sources, one of the suspects was allegedly involved in kidnapping operations along the Okene–Auchi road and adjoining areas.
Troops recovered two mobile phones with charging cords, a power bank, four litres of palm oil, portions of cow meat, clothing and ₦901,080 in cash from the suspects.
The suspects and recovered items are currently in military custody for further investigation and necessary action.
Security sources said the arrests provide an opportunity to investigate the logistics and support networks sustaining criminal activities along the Okene–Auchi corridor.
The military is expected to intensify intelligence-led operations in the area to identify other members of the suspected network and disrupt their movement and supply channels.
Troops Arrest Suspected Terrorist, Courier in Kogi
Troops Repel Terrorist Attack, Recover AK-47 and Communication Devices in Niger
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD have repelled an attack by suspected terrorists on their position at Dekara in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
The attack occurred at about 8:24 a.m. on August 23, 2026, when suspected terrorists engaged troops deployed in the area.
The troops responded and successfully repelled the attackers, forcing them to withdraw towards the surrounding forest.
During subsequent exploitation of the area, troops recovered one AK-47 rifle loaded with four rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
Security personnel also recovered six motorcycles, 49 mobile phones, nine batteries and 10 memory cards reportedly abandoned by the fleeing terrorists.
Drone surveillance subsequently captured two suspected injured terrorists being evacuated on motorcycles towards the Kainji Lake National Park.
Troops have continued to dominate the area and maintain pressure on the fleeing terrorists to deny them freedom of action and prevent them from regrouping.
The recovery of the weapons and communication devices is expected to provide valuable intelligence for ongoing operations, particularly in identifying terrorist networks, their communication channels and movement corridors around the Kainji Lake National Park.
The operation comes amid intensified security efforts to prevent terrorist elements from exploiting the forested areas along the Nigeria–Benin border as safe havens and mobility corridors.
Troops Repel Terrorist Attack, Recover AK-47 and Communication Devices in Niger
Troops Raid Illegal Shanties, Clear Criminal Hideouts in Abuja
Troops Arrest Suspected Terrorist, Courier in Kogi
Troops Repel Terrorist Attack, Recover AK-47 and Communication Devices in Niger
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