A non-governmental organization devoted to better governance in Nigeria, TURN would be conducting a special online session ahead of the new Mental Health Bill currently before the National Assembly.
Transforming, Uplifting and Reforming Nigeria, TURN, a global coalition of eminent Nigerians devoted to helping Nigeria benefit from good governance, opens the four-hour session on Saturday, October 10.
The programme transmits live across the globe at 4.00 p.m. Nigerian time. It would feature three professors in the field of mental health, one medical doctor, a nutritionist and mental health advocate, and an international lawyer and arbitrator with tested expertise on mental health issues.
Goodwill messages would be delivered from representatives of the World Health Organization, WHO and the United Nations Information Centre.
Confirmed speakers include Harvard-trained professor of psychology and psychopharmacology, Professor Lateef Taiwo Sheikh. Prof Sheikh is the President, Association of Psychologists in Nigeria. He speaks on the topic – Mental Health and Law: Current Practices. Another speaker, Dr Jubril Abdulmalik, a lecturer in the Department of Psychology, University of Ibadan speaks on the possible role of Non-governmental organizations in mental health.
From the Canadian capital, Dr AG Ahmed, a forensic neuropsychiatrist and associate professor, Department of Psychiatry at the University of Ottawa speaks on the topic Crime and Mental Health Law. Ahmed holds a Masters’ degree in Law and is co-founder of the only Albert Ellis Institute outside of the USA, the Centre for Rational and Cognitive Therapies.
Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Dr. Ibrahim Oloriegbe one of the sponsors of the new bill brings a medical perspective to the debate on mental health. Before going into politics, Dr. Oloriegbe trained and practiced medicine in Nigeria. He has been at the head of reforming Nigeria’s outdated law and the practice of mental health.
Two female experts speaking at the session include nutritionist and mental health advocate, Ms Sylvalene Njoku. Ms Njoku speaks on the topic – Mental Health, A Service User’s Perspective, bringing her knowledge of how our society perceives people with mental health disorder. Ms Njoku comes with a deep background on public perception of mental health and expertise on mental health advocacy at national and continental level.
Bringing a legal perspective to mental health at the forum is Ms Kemi Oduwole. Oduwole trained as a lawyer and practices law in Nigeria and Ontario, Canada. Her area of expertise includes mental health law, immigration, child protection and family law. She is a published author in her field of expertise and an advocate for mental health reform.
A senior media expert, Ms. Theckla Wilkie, would moderate Saturday’s mental health Zoom talk. Wilkie has worked with the Nigerian Television Authority for nearly two decades, researching, writing and presenting award-winning programmes.
Members of the media, mental and health care providers and members of the public from Nigeria and across the globe would be participating at the talk. Experts are expected to field questions from participants at the open session.
Members of the media are specially requested to please provide coverage as mental health issues prominently feature prominently among the problems that Nigeria is grappling with at this critical moment in its existence.
Additional information can be found in the attached brochure including information on how to join the session.
(Signed)
OTTAWA – October 7