JUDICIARY
NHRC Seeks Holistic Approach to Mental Health in Nigeria
The National human rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday called for a holistic approach to mental health.
Mr Tony Ojukwu, SAN, made this call in Abuja at a dialogue to mark the 2023 World Mental Health Day.
Reports says that the 2023 day efforts us the opportunity for people and communities to unite behind the theme ‘Mental health is a universal human right”
To also improve knowledge, raise awareness and drive actions that promote and protect everyone’s mental health as a universal human right.
The day is celebrated every year on Oct. 10.
Ojukwu represented by Mr Richmond Iheme, deputy Director of monitoring in the commission, said the dialogue seeks to place in 2023 theme of the World Mental Health Day on the froth burner .
He added that the dialogue is aimed at mobilising relevant agencies and the civil society organisations to discharge government commitment under the international law on right to heath.
” To mobilize consciousness to move away from biomedical towards a holistic approach to mental health in order to address associated human rights concerns.
” What role can each Agency and CSOs play?
” Availability, Accessibility and Affordability are central to government obligation in relation to all economic, social and cultural rights” he said.
According to Ojukwu careful look should be taken on the available of the Mental Health care in the country.
” Whose responsibility is to raise awareness about mental health to disabuse minds from the fallacies about mental illness?Isn’t mental health literacy necessary for enhancement of mental health rights?
” what level of treatment is meted out to those with mental, psychosocial or cognitive disabilities by caregivers in families, homes and facilities;both orthodox and unorthodox?who monitors standards to ensure humane treatment
” What mechanism is available?
It is equally compelling to address the economic, environmental and social determinants of mental health. ” he asked.
Similarly, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Mr James Lalu Npom, represented by Mrs patience Okolo-Dickson said as at March 7, fact sheets of the World Health Organisation showed that about 1.3 billion people experience significant disability.
” This represents 16 per cent of the world’s population. Persons with disabilities have twice the risk of developing conditions such as depression, trauma, emotional stress, and poor oral health.
” Persons with disabilities face more difficulties and health inequities including in Mental Health than those without disabilities.
^ Health inequities arise from unfair conditions faced by persons with disabilities, including stigma, discrimination, poverty, exclusion from education and employment, and barriers faced in the health system” he said.
He said that one in four Nigerians suffer from a mental health condition which needs an urgent attention.
” However, the signing of the mental health act into law in January will address better quality of mental healthcare services and promote recovery in Nigeria, and to protect the rights of persons who have mental health conditions (including persons with disabilities).
” The establishment of a department of mental health within the Federal Ministry of Health to see that mental health policies are proposed and implemented is highly commendable.
” The Act which defines and protects the rights of Nigerians with Mental health conditions including persons with disabilities” he added.
He said Section 12 of the Act states that any person needing mental health services should not be subjected to any form of discrimination based on their condition and disability.
” It is therefore important to have a collective approach to addressing mental health and other related issues for everyone affected especially for those with psychosocial disabilities who are mostly left behind.
” It is our hope that as we continue to build upon our collective commitments towards a holistic approach,
” We will continue to build bridges around the intersection of Disability and Mental Health considering special needs for those who are more vulnerable” he said. (NAN)
Justice Maryann Anenih o a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court on Tuesday struck out the bail application filed by former governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi.Anenih struck out the application on the grounds that it was filed when the former governor was yet to be taken into custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The application was filed on Nov. 22, while the former governor was taken into custody of the anti-graft agency on Nov. 26 and arraigned on Nov. 27.(NAN)Details later….
Five men, on Monday appeared before an Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun, for allegedly stealing a truck load of Milo products worth N25 million.The defendants, Temidire Ramon, 35, Aminu Yusuf, 26; Olusola Opadare, 35; Oludayo Adeleye, 38, and Amodu Jimoh, 51, are standing tial on a two-count charge of stealing and conspiracy.
The prosecutor, Insp E. O.Adaraloye, told the court that the defendants committed the offences on Oct. 13, 2020, at Agbara in Ogun.Adaraloye, said that the defendants conspired and stole a truck load of Milo products valued at N25 million, belonging to Nestle Company.He said that the offences contravened Sections 390(9) and 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun, 2006.They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.The Magistrate, Mr O.A Onagoruwa, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500,000 each with two sureties each in like sum.He ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and must reside within the court’s jurisdiction.Onagoruwa also ordered that the sureties must show evidence of tax payment to Ogun State Government.He adjourned the case until Dec.12 for hearing. (NAN)
A Grade 1 Area Court, Kubwa has granted Maryam Muhammad custody of two children from her former husband, Bashir.
The judge, Musa Sabo ordered Bashir to pay Muhammad N175,000 for a self contained apartment in arrears following the plaintiff’s claim of already paid rent.
Sabo added that Bashir should secure a self contained apartment or pay the plaintiff N250, 000 annually for accommodation.
He said that the children would spend first and third term holidays with their father and second term holidays with their mother.
The judge said the father could pick his children up every weekend for outings within 10a.m to 6.pm from the mother and notify her before hand.
He also ordered him to pay outstanding school fees if any and pay the plaintiff arrears for the fees she claimed to pay after verifying same as she failed to prove it.
Sabo ordered Bashir to pay N40,000 from October 2023 To February 2024 and subsequently pay N45,000 monthly for the children’s upkeep..
Regarding the children’s medication, he ordered Bashir to make an arrangement based on his financial capability.
Earlier, the plaintiff approached the court for custody of her children, maintenance, Islamiyya school fees, enrollment of one of the children in a special needs school and transportation.
She also sought for Bashir to refund N770, 000 which she paid for her house rent with the children and pay for the medicals of the children.
Bashir however said his ex-wife paid the rent without his consent adding that he is a civil servant and not financially capable.
“I do not earn up to N2 million annually and I am currently paying N600,000 rent annually. My children are already under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS),” he said.(NAN)
Yuletide: Bode George Urges Tinubu to Reduce Petrol Price
ShareChief Bode George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has urged President Bola Tinubu to...
Tinubu Set for Groundbreaking of Renewed Hope City in Lagos
Share President Bola Tinubu, is set to perform the groundbreaking of 2,000 housing units of the Renewed Hope City in...
Gov. Alia Presents N550.1bn as 2025 Budget Estimate to Benue Assembly
ShareGov. Hyacinth Alia on Wednesday presented the sum of N550.1bn as the 2025 appropriation bill to the Benue State House...
Tax Bills: NASS will not Betray the Trust of Nigerians, says Akpabio
Share The President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, says the National Assembly will prioritise the interest of all Nigerians...
Alia Has Demonstrated Capacity, Courage to Entrench Good Governance—Speaker
Share The Speaker, Benue Assembly, Mr Hyacinth Dajo, has said that Gov. Hyacinth Alia has so far demonstrated capacity, courage,...
Investors Gain N183bn on NGX
Share The Nigerian Exchange Ltd. (NGX) continued its bullish trend on Wednesday, gaining N183 billion. Accordingly, the market capitalisation, which...
Energy, Solid Minerals Top Priority, Tinubu Tells German Businessmen
Share President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, assured the German government and businessmen of Nigeria’s preparedness to expand frontiers for investors...
Nigerian Who Wrote WASSCE 17 Times Bags Distinction from London School
Share Dr Emmanuel Ahmadu, a Nigerian who wrote the West Africa School Senior Certificate Education 17 times, has earned a...
INEC Staff Welfare Association Warns Members Against Manipulating Election Results
Share The Abia Chapter of the INEC Staff Welfare Association (ISWA) has warned its members to uphold the integrity of...
Bill for Compulsory Counselling, Training of Convicts Scales 2nd Reading
ShareA bill to amend the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, has successfully passed its second reading in...