By Citizenship Newspaper
A health education lecturer at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai (IBBUL), Professor Matthew Olufunso Salomi, has identified factors responsible for the sharp increase in mental illnesses and suicide cases in Nigeria at alarming rate.
He made this known while delivering his inaugural lecture series 26 titled: “Health Education: The Liberator in a Complex Society” held at the University auditorium in Lapai.
Here lamented over increasing rate of mental cases in the country.
The lecturer argued that issues affecting
Nigerians are numerous to the extent that the combination can trigger mental health issues of citizens as it affects them physically, economically, socially andemotionally.
Professor Salomi said mental illness could be triggered by mental health problems such as tension, fear, extreme
nervousness and depression which
can lead to psychoses, noted that all hands must be on deck to tackle the menace.
He added that health education is a bridge between facts and fallacy, busy clarifying values, sharing information, modeling roles and when personified is a communicator, translator, interpreter motivator and a liberator.
According to him, health education is the process of providing information a person can utilize to enhance his or her own health status, which involves teaching individuals, families and the communities on what to do, continue doing and what to avoid and remain healthy.
The Vice Chancellor Professor Mohammed Hadi Suleiman reiterated the unwavering commitment of the university to promoting research and innovation that directly addresse real life challenges and improve the well-being of the people.
He stated the word is confronted with multiple health challenges from the rise of chronic illnesses and unhealthy lifestyles to misinformation spreading across digital platforms.
In his remarks, the university chairman Senate Committee on Seminars and Conferences, Prof. Victor A. Kolawole commended the lecturer who has carried out a lot of researches on widow, widower and coping strategies including in-depth analysis of death education and its consequences. Adding that the theme of the lecture is relevant, current and topical to the society at large.
