society
COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF A 2-DAY EVENT ORGANISED BY THE NOUS ORGANISATION
COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF A 2-DAY EVENT ORGANISED BY THE NOUS ORGANISATION AND SPARKLE FOUNDATION ON BREAKING THE BARRIERS OF MENTAL HEALTH IN A CHANGING WORLD, HELD ON NOVEMBER 2-3, 2018, AT THE MAINLAND LOCAL COUNCIL DEVELOPMENT AREA, YABA.
INTRODUCTION
The Nous Foundation Nigeria in collaboration with Sparkle Foundation held a 2-day event on November 2-3, 2018.
The theme of the event was “Breaking the Barriers of Mental Health in a Changing World”.
It was aimed at fostering institutional and community mechanism or framework and concerted efforts by all and sundry that would promote the awareness about mental health and putting a stamp NO to ending stigmatization and discrimination at the local, national and sub-regional levels – realizing the interconnectedness and importance of mental health at these different spheres of our social life.
The event, which kicked off with an awareness walk on November 2nd, 2018 at exactly 8:00am in the morning from Jibowu bus stop down to Yaba Local Council Development Area with musical fanfare – a non-stop atmosphere of fun, music and education of the road with the people of the community at the grass root level while the seminar took place at the same Council on November 3rd, 2018 considered several issues of urgent importance by seasoned speakers on the construct of mental health including, but not limited to: stress, depression and anger; the challenge for young people, mental health; the crisis, causes and care, faith; a solution or myth in recovery and mental health, etc.
In her remarks, the Convener, The Nous Organization, Lade Olugbemi, said that due to the increasing cases of mental issues including suicide and drug abuse, there was an urgent need to talk about mental health. Olugbemi further stressed that the organization is passionate about creating awareness and willing to collaborate with professionals in mental health. “We cannot stop talking about mental health, because it is a condition that can affect anybody. “ It is important that professionals in the field collaborate with organizations to educate people and this should be sustained.
“Also, the government needs to put in place enabling environment for people to thrive and achieve their potentials in life,’’ she urged. More importantly, she sighted a good example of how her generation resolves personal issues amicably unlike the young people of today who will rather fight on social media platforms than to resolve personal issues off social media. “A lot of our young people are going through pressures. And this pressures are so immense we can’t allow them to go life alone,” she clamored.
Mrs Olasimbo Ojuroye, the CEO of Sparkle stated that she collaborated with Nous Foundation because she believe that mental health is a conversation that should also be taking place at grassroots. No one should be left out
Dr. Oluwaniyi representing the acting medical director of Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba., Dr. Otefe Edebi, a Psychiatrist with over a decade’s experience both in the public and private sector in mental health practice, hospital management., Dr. [Mrs] Oyekanmi, a renowned Adolescent Mental Health Psychiatrist Consultant., and the indefatigable Mrs. Grace Alexander, a Disability Specialist, all noted with concerns the worrisome trends of suicide, depression, and lack of proper education on mental health amongst the demographic of young people.
Participants at the events included the members of World Health Committee, leaderships and staff members of both Local Government Councils in Yaba and others within Lagos, Teachers, Students, Community leaders, and the general public, etc. In the course of deliberation, participants at the event noted the following:
1. The state of mental health care delivery in Nigeria is worrisome. This is despite efforts by organizations like The Nous Organization and Sparkle Foundation. The reasons for this situation include: infrastructural deficits/decay; stigmatization and discrimination against those with mental illness; low level of employment of human resources for health, and; inadequate funding of mental health awareness.
2. The requisite attention for capacity-building through the training and re-training of health personnel on mental health has not been given by different tiers of government. There is equally the need for the development of a community framework that will be used for basic training of human resource for health to properly integrate new knowledge, inter alia.
That said. Conversely, after the event participants noted the following:
1. What will I do differently? I will never stigmatize because the workshop has equipped me with enhanced knowledge, understanding of how to respond to Mental Health issues.
2. The understanding that our mental health is intimately connected with our behavior, physical health, educational attainments, human development, social development, economic development, and employability.
3. The wrong use of terms such as mad persons rather than people living with mental illness.
4. The ‘open mic session’ gave them the opportunity to express themselves in language they understand as there was availability of interpreter.
5. Finally, the participants asked there must be continuity of such event so that more people can be better informed.
CONCLUSION
The participants expressed their satisfaction at the work being done at the grassroots level by The Nous Organization Nigeria and Sparkle Foundation. They agreed to establish lasting relations that would be leveraged towards consummating the quest for mental health awareness for all in Nigeria and indeed in Africa, and the world as a whole. Also, the participants agreed to change their use of certain terms when discussing about mental illness.
SENATOR ADEOLA YAYI REGISTERS 4000 JAMB CANDIDATES
In continuation of his educational support initiatives and following established tradition, Senator Solomon Adeola (APC,Ogun West) has successfully paid for and enrolled 4000 indigent students for the 2026 Joint Admission Matriculation Board(JAMB) examination.
According to a release e-signed and made available to members of the League of Yewa-Awori Media Practitioners (LOYAMP) by High Chief Kayode Odunaro, Media Adviser to Senator Adeola and shared with (your mediu), the programme financed by the senator under the “SEN YAYI FREE JAMB 2026” ended on Saturday , February 21, 2026, with a total of 4000 candidates successfully enrolled with their PINs provided.
Commenting on the success of the programme, Senator Adeola said the programme is another leg of his personal educational empowerment for indigent but brilliant citizens preparatory to his scholarship and bursary facilitation for tertiary education institutions’ students.
“As far as I can help it, none of our children will miss educational opportunities arising out of adverse economic predicament of their parents or guardians”, he stated.
Successful candidates cut across all the three senatorial districts of Ogun State with 2183 coming from Ogun West, 1358 coming from Ogun Central and 418 from Ogun East.
Some of the candidates that applied and are yet to get their PINs due wrong information supplied in their profiles and being underage as discovered by JAMB and other reasons are being further assisted to see the possibility of getting their PINs.
The Free JAMB programme of the Senator that has been running for years is well received by appreciative beneficiaries and their parents.
Alhaji Suara Adeyemi from Ipokia Local Government whose daughter successfully got her PIN in the programme said the Senator’s gesture was a welcome financial relief for his family at this period after payment of numerous school fees of other siblings of the beneficiary seeking admission to higher institution.
Also posting on the social media handle of the Senator, a beneficiary Mr. Henry Olaitan, from Odeda LGA said that he would have missed doing the entry examination as his guardian cannot afford the fees for himself and two of his children.
House Committee Seeks Stronger Financial Backing for Federal Character Commission
The Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Honorable Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, has reassured the commitment of her new leadership to reposition the Commission and strengthen enforcement of the federal character principle, despite prevailing funding challenges.
Hon. Omidiran made this known during the Commission’s budget defence before the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Character at the National Assembly on Friday, February 19, 2026.
The Executive Chairman opened up on inadequate funding has continued to constrain the Commission’s statutory activities, including nationwide monitoring, compliance audits and enforcement measures across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
“We are focused and determined to do the work that the Constitution and the President have entrusted us with,” Omidiran stated.
The FCC Boss, however, assured lawmakers that the Commission remains resolute in ensuring equity, fairness and balanced representation in line with its constitutional mandate.
“As a Commission, it is our responsibility to engage with relevant government parastatals and ministries to secure the necessary funding we require. We believe that with consultation and collaboration, it will be a successful venture for the Commission.”
Earlier, the Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Character, RT. Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, expressed deep concern over what he described as near-zero budgetary allocation to the Commission, stressing that such financial inadequacies severely undermine its operational effectiveness.
The Plateau State lawmaker assured the Commission of the Committee’s firm legislative backing in advocating for improved funding and strengthening the Commission’s capacity to fully exercise its constitutional mandate.
“We cannot reasonably expect the Federal Character Commission to enforce compliance across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies while grappling with insufficient funding,” Hon. Wase remarked.
“If we are genuinely committed to fairness, equity, and national cohesion, then we must be deliberate in adequately funding the institution established to safeguard these principles.
“As a Committee, we shall work closely with the leadership of the Commission to ensure that its budgetary provisions reflect the magnitude of its mandate. The era of skeletal or token funding must give way to realistic and sustainable financial support,” he concluded.
The budget defence session concluded on a note of renewed collaboration between the House of Representatives and the Commission, reflecting a shared determination to strengthen institutional capacity, enhance accountability, and promote equitable representation within Nigeria’s public service.
SIGNED:
Ademola Lawrence
Spokesperson,
Federal Character Commission
February 20, 2026
society
APC Ethiope West Congress Turns Violent: Ibori’s Daughter Escapes Assassination Attempt; Scores Injured
*APC Ethiope West Congress Turns Violent: Ibori’s Daughter Escapes Assassination Attempt; Scores Injured
The APC Ethiope West Local Government Area Congress took a terrible turn today as scores were attacked by gun-wielding thugs allegedly hired by old PDP members that moved to APC. The congress was relocated from its original venue the Oghara Township Stadium to a new venue,Ovade, in the LGA seemingly to disenfranchise original APC members.
Violence erupted when the Member representing Ethiope Federal Constituency Rt Hon Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu daughter of the the former Governor of Delta H.E Chief James Onanefe Ibori arrived at the new venue in Ovade. Apart from clear threats to her life by thugs sponsored by the Governor of Delta State, Rt Sheriff Oborevwori and former Rep member Hon Ben Igbakpa. Her supporters were attacked with dangerous weapons, as she was denied entrance to the venue. There were several attempts on her life which were foiled by her security details. There had been intels that she would have been shot if she had stepped foots on the venue this is terrible at a time when there had been hopes of peace coming into the party with the recent meeting at Asaba , however this recent happening shows peace is still far away .
Hon Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu has appealed for calm among APC supporters and old members amidst the unprovoked attack. Several injured individuals are receiving treatment at undisclosed hospitals.
There are still reports of targeted attacks on on members of the Old APC , calls have been made to security operatives to avert such attempts.
-
celebrity radar - gossips6 months agoWhy Babangida’s Hilltop Home Became Nigeria’s Political “Mecca”
-
society6 months agoPower is a Loan, Not a Possession: The Sacred Duty of Planting People
-
society5 months agoReligion: Africa’s Oldest Weapon of Enslavement and the Forgotten Truth
-
news6 months agoTHE APPOINTMENT OF WASIU AYINDE BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AS AN AMBASSADOR SOUNDS EMBARRASSING
You must be logged in to post a comment Login