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Mental Health: Minister Urges Stronger Collaboration For Solutions

By

Cleopatra Okohai

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October 10, 2023

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, has called for collaboration between government, healthcare professionals, non-governmental organisations and the community to effectively address mental health issues.

He made the call on Tuesday in Abuja in commemoration of 2023 World Mental Health Day, themed ‘Mental health is a universal human right’.

LN247 reports that the World Health Organisation set aside October 10 every year to raise awareness around the world and to mobilise efforts in support of mental health.

“The day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide,” WHO stated.

Pate urged respective entities to work together to find comprehensive solutions to the growing mental health concerns in the country.

He said mental health problems had become increasingly prevalent, affecting individuals from all walks of life.

According to him, the burden on healthcare systems and support networks is increasing, necessitating a collective effort to provide adequate support and care.

The minister called for a united front in tackling the challenges.

“The state government has a crucial role to play in this collaborative approach. By setting policies and allocating resources, the state government can ensure that mental health initiatives receive the necessary funding and support,” Pate added.

He explained that creating a supportive environment and reducing the stigma associated with mental health were vital steps to encourage individuals to seek help without fear of judgment or discrimination.

“Healthcare professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, counsellors, and social workers, are at the forefront of mental health support.

“Collaborating with the government allows these professionals to enhance the quality of care through improved access to services, better training programmes, and increased awareness among healthcare providers.

“Sharing knowledge, best practices, and resources can significantly benefit individuals seeking mental health assistance,” the minister said.

Pate, however, stressed that NGOs also have crucial roles to play in addressing mental health challenges in the country.

“These organisations often operate at the grassroots level, providing support, advocacy and community-based programmes.

“Collaboration with the government and healthcare professionals enables NGOs to leverage their expertise and resources effectively.

“By working together, they can reach more individuals, raise awareness, and advocate for policy changes that benefit the mental health community,” he said.

The minister said community involvement was also essential in addressing mental health issues.

He added, “Communities can provide a support network for individuals struggling with mental health challenges, reducing feelings of isolation and promoting a sense of belonging.

“Community-based initiatives, such as support groups, educational workshops, and awareness campaigns, can help reduce stigma and encourage early intervention,” he said.

He noted that by working together, these entities could create a supportive environment, improve access to services, and raise awareness about mental health.

He added that it was through this collective effort that significant progress could be made in the country.

Also speaking, WHO’s Deputy Country Representative, Alexander Chimbaru, said mental health was a universal human right issue.

He emphasised the importance of good mental health and the impact it has on individuals and society as a whole.

He also highlighted the need to challenge stigma, discrimination and violations surrounding mental health, and emphasised the right of everyone to access quality mental health care.

Chimbaru said WHO was committed to supporting the government and partners in implementing activities to promote and protect mental health in the country.

The Founder of Mandate Health Empowerment Initiative, Mr. Zion Ameh, advocated the need for President Bola Tinubu’s administration to properly ensure the implementation of the Mental Health Act at the grassroots.

Ameh said the Mental Health Act should not remain just a policy on paper but should be implemented at the grassroots level.

To achieve this, he suggested that the government should support initiatives that would create an environment where mental health care services could thrive across the country.

NAN reports that in January 2023, former President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Mental Health Bill into law.

The Bill, which was harmonised by the Senate and House of Representatives in 2021, replaced the Lunacy Act of 1958.

UNICAL Students Emerge Semi-Finalists of Manfred Lachs Law Competition

By

Nzubechukwu Anodo

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October 10, 2023

Three students of University of Calabar, UNICAL, have emerged semi finalists of the 2023 Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition, MLMC, in Azerbaijan.

The law students achieved the feat after emerging African Champions which qualified them to compete in the World finals of the competition, held at the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan on October 5, 2023.

UNICAL team comprised of Felix-Uche Richard Chikeziri, Akpoiroro Victory Oghenekparobor and Musa Omma-Agbon Zaiki, came third after 77 teams from universities and regions worldwide participated in the various knock-out stages of the competition, arguing a case related to laser activities and the use of anti-satellite weapons in outer space.

The team engaged in rigorous legal arguments on international law and politics against the Asian Regional Champions from the China University of Political Science and Law, which eventually emerged as the winners of the competition.

Read Also: UNICAL VC Receives Investigation Report on Suspended Dean

The competition was judged by three sitting judges of the International Court of Justice, ICJ.

MLMC, a prestigious competition hosted by the International Institute of Space Law, IISL, took place during the 74th International Astronautical Congress, IAC, held at the prestigious Baku Convention Centre, BCC and Heydar Aliyev Center, HAC, in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The students had, in a remarkable display of legal prowess, competed against 17 other African universities in the regional rounds, won the African regional finals, surpassing the University of Pretoria, South Africa and 16 other African Universities.

The victory earned them the title of African Regional Champions, placing them alongside champions from Latin America, Asia, Northern America and Europe.

It further advanced them to the quarter finals of the competition, where they competed against the Latin American regional champions of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, UNAM, the largest university in Latin America.

The University of Calabar, in a statement, commended the students saying they displayed exceptional legal acumen and defeated their Latin American counterparts, securing their place in the semi-final stage.

Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition, MLMC, is recognised as one of the most esteemed moot court competitions in space law. It is named after H.E. Manfred Lachs, a former judge and President of the International Court of Justice, ICJ.

The competition provides students with a unique opportunity to engage with public international law and the laws of outer space.

Furthermore, participating in the MLMC offers students invaluable knowledge, experience, exposure to a professional network of international lawyers, and improved advocacy skills.

Teams from various regions across the globe participate in regional rounds of the Competition. The winners from each region (Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa, North America, and Latin America) then compete in the World Finals, which are in conjunction with the annual International Astronautical Congress.

Although Team UNICAL did not secure the top spot in the World Finals this year, there were among the top 4 teams who made it to the semi-final stage of the World Finals out of 77 teams. For this, they received the esteemed title of SEMI-FINALIST in the 2023 Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition. They were also honoured with the Best Memorials for the Africa Rounds.

The university said this achievement reflects UNICAL’s commitment to excellence in legal education and dedication to nurturing outstanding legal talent. It also highlights the University’s global position as a formidable contender in space law and international legal competitions.

Lagos Varsity Integrates Yoruba Language Into Curriculum

By

Nzubechukwu Anodo

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October 10, 2023

Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) has taken a significant step towards preserving and encouraging the use of the Yoruba language.

The university has integrated the Yoruba language into its General Nigeria Studies (GNS) curriculum, as mandated by a law enacted by the Lagos State Government on August 8, 2018.

This law requires the inclusion of Yoruba in the GNS programme of all tertiary institutions owned by the Lagos State Government.

Read Also: Government Makes Yoruba Language Compulsory In LASU

It is a compulsory course for both 100- and 200-level students and they must pass it before they graduate.

She said immediately after transmuted into a university, the senate of the institution approved the teaching of Yoruba at the GNS level in 2022, and the university started teaching in February during the 2022–2023 sessions.

She said the university is the only institution that is teaching Yoruba for one whole session in the state.

Lafiaji-Okuneye added that the 100-level students at the university has been taught, examined and graded on the course.

Lecturers teaching Yoruba Language created innovative ways to teach their students to capture their interest.

In the last admissions process, we had to move some candidates interested in studying English to Yoruba because of the population.

She urges parents and schools to adopt our language, which can help us become game changers in preserving the language among children and students.

NUT Suspends Strike Following Wike’s Intervention

By

Nzubechukwu Anodo

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October 10, 2023

The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Federal Capital Territory Wing, has suspended its ongoing strike for six weeks following the intervention of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

The chairman of the union, Stephen Knabayi, confirmed the suspension in an interview with the Pressmen in Abuja.

Knabayi said that the strike was suspended from Oct. 2 to Nov. 13 to implement commitments by the chairmen of the six area councils and the FCT minister.

Recall that the NUT in FCT on Sept. 11 embarked on an indefinite strike over unpaid 40 per cent peculiar and other outstanding allowances.

Read Also: FG, Organised Labour Reach Agreement To Suspend Strike

Other concerns of the teachers included the non-payment of 25-month arrears of the 2019 approved national minimum wage, the non-release of some promotion letters to beneficiaries and the non-implementation of released promotion letters.

Other issues were non-payment of promotion arrears, non-upgrading of concerned teachers, non-implementation of salaries for upgraded teachers and non-implementation of annual salary increments in some councils.

They also alleged non-compliance with the agreement on payments for the backlog of teachers’ entitlements, amongst others.

Knabayi explained that the strike was suspended after an agreement was reached between the striking teachers and the chairmen of the six area councils following the intervention of the minister.

He added that a 6-man committee was also set up and inaugurated to find a lasting solution to the issues.

He said the committee reconsidered their stand and suspended the strike following the intervention of the minister of the FCT.

He said on the other two issues—poison allowances and payment of minimum wage arrears—the minister has agreed to intervene with an agreement for their implementation in four weeks.

He said the suspension of the strike for six weeks is to enable the minister to take action and see to the implementation of the commitments.

The chairman commended Wike for the intervention, which he described as timely and impactful.

Knabayi said the Council Chairman of Abaji, Abubakar Abdullahi has already commenced the payment of teachers. This is an indication of their readiness to meet the agreement.

He identified the communication gap as one of the major issues affecting the relationship between the union and the chairmen of the councils.

Knabayi said teachers are patient people, teachers are understanding people and teachers can tolerate delays in payment of their entitlement when they are aware of a plan to pay.

He stressed that they had to embark on the strike because no one was telling them anything about their entitlement or when they would be paid.

How Nigerian Universities Can Be Self-Funded — Deputy Speaker

By

Nzubechukwu Anodo

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October 10, 2023

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has urged Vice Chancellors of various Universities in Nigeria to leverage the contributions of the alumni association and other endowment funds to finance education.

Hon. Kalu gave the charge while delivering his goodwill message at the opening ceremony of the 61st anniversary and 36th Conference of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU) themed: ’60 years of Leadership in Nigerian Universities’, held at Baze University, Abuja.

He said one of the key areas where Nigerian universities can chart a new course for sustainable development is in innovative funding models.

Read Also: FG Appeals to Students, Others for Understanding As Universities Set For Resumption

He said he was particularly encouraged by the efforts to leverage the vast network of alumni and the Triple-Helix model, involving collaboration with industries and the government.

He said this approach aligns with global best practices seen in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, where endowment funds managed by capital market fund managers and venture capitalists have played a pivotal role in financing higher education.

He said he hopes that these innovative funding models will provide the financial stability needed to propel our universities to even greater heights.

While applauding the Committee of Vice Chancellors for its higher education leadership programme on strategic thinking for managing challenging times and creative financing of the universities and other tertiary institutions, he observed that: Such initiatives are essential in equipping the academic leaders with the skills and strategies needed to navigate the complex landscape of higher education in the 21st century.

He said government is not left out in this regard especially the respective state governments in the country. It is imperative for them to play a contributory role and follow it up with the creation of an enabling environment for the higher education institutions in their states to be able to attract alternative sources of funding to continue to run and thrive.

Pledging the partnership of the Parliament with the universities and other stakeholders in the education sector, Hon. Kalu urged the Committee to also address the issues of gender equity, equality, diversity and inclusion while also considering the role of technology and the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the future of Nigerian education.

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