Rivers
Body Initiates Support For Mental Health Programme
A global public health group, comprising NGOs, teachers, counsellors and other stakeholders in the health sector, has launched a five-year initiative to support governments, agencies and policy makers to enable them prioritise mental health re-education, promotion and implementation of policies with the objective of achieving a healthy mental state and well-being for citizens.
Organised by Vortex Global Consultancy, London, the group made up of nearly 40 stakeholders held a two-day virtual conference, recently, to discuss the modalities of how to mainstream mental health services, especially in low and medium income countries.
Addressing the conference, a Consultant at Vortex Global Consultancy, Ms Blessing Esekie, regretted that mental health has not been prioritised in developing countries in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) era, while institutionalisation of the mentally ill is still being prioritised over community efforts in promoting their well-being.
Ms Esekie noted a lack of emphasis on community involvement and mental health education in Primary Health Care facilities, adding that mental health is still largely unaddressed while misconceptions have been allowed to persist and stereotypes have reduced health seeking behaviour.
She therefore urged all those who work at enforcing policies within countries, societies and organisations to give premium attention to the effects of what they have in their policies about mental well-being and motivate communities with re-education and promotional activities that are part of free basic healthcare.
In his own address, a child and youth security advocate from Nigeria’s South Western Region, Mr Kolawole Adewole, who gave a presentations on the importance and current state of adolescent mental health, emphasised many facets of this major global health concern, including drug abuse, suicide, unemployment, poverty and a shortage of basic primary healthcare services in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Also making a presentation on Mental Health in the Workplaces and Educational Institutions, a London based clerical physiologist, Dr Nancy Nsia, underscored the value of mental health services and policies in workplace and educational institutions as mental health problems adversely affect companies and their workers.
According to Dr Nsia, who is assisting minority ethnic groups in gaining access to culturally specific psychological therapies, children and adolescents who face socio-economic disadvantage such as poverty or lack of sufficient health or social services are more likely, to develop mental health problems but however lamented that attempts to address the mental health needs of children and adolescents have remained a neglected issue.
In his contribution, a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the University of Hull and Associate Lecturer at the University of Sunderland in London, Dr Franklin Onwukwugha, discussed the gaps that existed in developing countries according to the World Health Organisation(WHO) mental health related date, identified a lack of community empowerment to handle mental education and care, and emphasised the need to incorporate mental health policies into the health programmes of developing countries.
By: Opaka Dokubo
The Eze Oha Evo III of Evo Kingdom, Nyerisi Eli Woji (Eze Woji XII), His Majesty, King Prof. Leslie Nyebuchi Eke, Eze Gbakagbaka, has called on communication professionals to rise above routine narratives and become vanguards in rebuilding public trust in the face of Nigeria’s challenging economic realities.
The revered monarch made the charge while delivering the Chairman’s Opening Remarks at the 2025 Annual Conference of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Rivers State Chapter, held in Port Harcourt, with the theme: “Refocusing Stakeholders’ Engagement and Public Trust in a Challenging Economy.”
The event, which drew leading figures in public communication, governance, and industry, witnessed presentations, keynote addresses and robust deliberations aimed at repositioning the PR profession to respond to national realities with innovation and integrity.
In his remarks, HM Eke commended the Rivers State Chapter of NIPR, led by Rev. Francis Asuk, for what he called its unwavering commitment to professionalism, knowledge-sharing, and continuous dialogue on issues affecting the nation’s social and institutional fabric.
He noted that the theme of the conference could not have been more appropriate, considering the current national climate where public confidence in institutions is at an all-time low, and economic uncertainties have strained relationships between stakeholders and the state.
“We are living in a season when trust has become a scarce commodity. Citizens are asking tough questions, and institutions are struggling to maintain credibility. In such a time, the role of the Public Relations professional becomes even more crucial”, he said.
The Eze Gbakagbaka, who is the Chairman, Supreme Forum of Ikwerre Government Recognized Traditional Rulers, noted that Public Relations practitioners must understand their strategic role as mediators between the people and the truth, adding that the tools of their trade: honest communication, transparency, and empathy, must be wielded with renewed purpose and patriotism.
“You are the bridge between the people and the truth; between perception and reality. Your work determines whether society believes, doubts, or hopes again. Let this conference remind us that trust is not demanded, it is earned”, he urged.
He emphasized that the restoration of trust in both public and private sectors requires consistent, deliberate, and sincere stakeholder engagement.
According to him, when communication is driven by integrity, not propaganda, society will gradually find its voice and confidence once again.
“With transparent communication and genuine engagement, even in a difficult economy, confidence can be restored”, the monarch said, urging the delegates to see themselves not just as professionals, but as nation-builders with a moral obligation to influence public perception positively.
The Evo apex King, who is also a Fellow of the Institute, called on participants to approach the discussions with open minds and patriotic intent, stressing that every contribution must be geared towards rebuilding national cohesion and institutional trust.
“With a deep sense of honour and responsibility”, he declared, “I, His Majesty, King Leslie Nyebuchi Eke, JP, Eze Gbakagbaka, Eze Oha Evo III of Evo Kingdom, Nyerisi Eli Woji (Eze Woji XII) and Chairman, Supreme Forum of Ikwerre Government Recognized Traditional Rulers, formally declare open the 2025 Annual Conference of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Rivers State Chapter to the glory of God and for the good of our society.”
At a post conference courtesy call at the instance of the Eze Gbakagbaka, the President of the Association, Dr. Ike Neliaku, described the Kung as an astute Fellow who is determined to add colour to the Institute regardless of any odds.
Also, the Council Member, Pastor Palunius Nsirim, who corroborated the President’s position, noted that His Majesty’s recognition was something valid given his contributions to the growth of the association.
“We value your presence with us. We will continue to benefit from your wise counsel. We won’t take your support for granted”, he said.
Climax of the visit was the decoration of Dr. Neliaku by the Evo apex King as a Honorary citizen of the Kingdom.
By: King Onunwor
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