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Every year, on October 10, the World Health Organization (WHO) selects a theme that calls global attention to a pressing aspect of mental well-being. This year’s theme, ‘Access to Services – Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies,’ could not have come at a more fitting time.

Across continents, people are living through crises that test both the body and the mind wars that drive families from their homes, floods that wash away livelihoods, economic downturns that drain hope, and epidemics that isolate entire communities. When catastrophe strikes, the first response is often physical: save lives, provide food, rebuild shelters. But the deeper wounds of those etched in the mind are the ones that rarely make the news.

WHO’s theme reminds us that mental health is not a luxury to be considered after survival; it is part of survival itself. Emotional care must walk hand in hand with medical aid, because healing is incomplete when only the body recovers.

In every disaster, there are two emergencies: the visible one that cameras capture, and the invisible one that lingers inside people. Long after the floodwaters recede or the gunfire fades, survivors often live with nightmares, panic, anxiety, and guilt. The world moves on, but their minds remain stuck in the moment of loss.

Think of the displaced mother who wakes up at every sound, still hearing the echo of chaos. The child who stopped speaking after witnessing violence. The first responder who has seen more pain than anyone should. These are not rare experiences they are the quiet epidemics that follow in the footsteps of every catastrophe.

When mental health services are absent in emergencies, trauma becomes a silent inheritance passed from one generation to another. A nation may rebuild its roads and hospitals, but without tending to the emotional rubble, its people remain internally displaced.

In Nigeria, we have seen our share of emergencies, floods that uproot entire communities, banditry and communal clashes that displace families, and economic instability that creates a daily state of mental emergency. In all these, psychological care is often an afterthought, if considered at all.

Relief efforts are mobilized quickly for food and temporary housing, but few include mental health professionals. Survivors of crisis are expected to simply be ‘strong.’ Yet, unprocessed trauma does not disappear through silence; it grows roots. Many Nigerians carry these unseen burdens, the teacher who lost her school to flooding but still teaches displaced children under a tree, the father who hides his tears after his business was burned, the nurse who must comfort others while her own heart trembles.

In moments of catastrophe, mental health services should be as available as food, water, and medical care. Yet access remains painfully limited. Nigeria still faces a severe shortage of mental health professionals, and in emergencies, psychological services are rarely integrated into response plans.

Many believe therapy or counselling is only for those with mental illness or for the weak. But the truth is, every human being under pressure needs emotional support, especially in times of chaos.

When WHO speaks of access, it is calling for a world where trauma care and psychological first aid are built into emergency responses, where relief teams include not only doctors and engineers, but also psychologists, counsellors, and trained volunteers. Because a healed mind rebuilds faster.

While we advocate for policies and services, we must also remember that compassion itself is a form of mental health support. You do not need to be a psychologist to help someone heal. Sometimes, being present is the therapy.

When you listen without judgment, you create a bridge between pain and hope. When you check on a friend who has withdrawn, you remind them that they still matter. When you let someone cry without rushing to fix it, you become part of their recovery process.

To truly honor this year’s theme, Nigeria must begin to treat mental health as part of national emergency planning. Policymakers should ensure that every disaster response unit includes trained mental health personnel. Hospitals and community clinics must have accessible counselling points. Schools should teach children emotional literacy how to name and navigate their feelings.

We also need public awareness that normalizes seeking help. When mental health care becomes as routine as physical check-ups, stigma will fade. We must build a culture where emotional well-being is seen not as weakness, but as wisdom.

As the world reflects on World Mental Health Day 2025, let us remember that rebuilding lives goes beyond replacing what was destroyed. Healing must include the quiet restoration of the human spirit.

In every catastrophe, the most enduring structures we must rebuild are not the bridges or the buildings, but the minds and hearts that hold a society together. When we make mental health care accessible in every crisis, we do more than save lives, we safeguard humanity.

Because when the world shakes, minds tremble too. But with care, compassion, and access to help, they can find their balance again.

THE African Social Enterprise Workshop (ASEW) has successfully hosted the 7th edition of its Sustaining Impact Summit convening over 500 of social innovators, thought leaders, and practitioners to exchange insights on building resourceful selves, societies, and networks.

The ASEW is a leading platform dedicated to supporting social entrepreneurs and innovators across Africa through learning, collaboration, and recognition.

The initiative focuses on strengthening resourceful and resilient communities by equipping social innovators with tools to create sustainable social impact.

The two-day summit featured dynamic panel discussions where the founder of ASEW and the Director of the Sustaining Impact Summit, Adeyemi Adelekan, highlighted that ‘Relying solely on external funding makes social enterprises vulnerable.’

He noted that sustainability comes from resourcefulness, adaptability, and building on what communities already have.

The keynote speakers, Debbi Brock and Sophie Bacq, led conversations on resilience, accountability, and sustainability in the social enterprise space.

Panelists from across the continent emphasised the importance of leveraging local resources, building coalitions, fostering creativity, and collaborating across ecosystems to drive community-owned impact.

‘Social entrepreneurs need to be engaged and involved in the decisions that affect them, including policies that shape their work,’ said Sophie Bacq, underscoring the need for inclusive governance.

Speakers highlighted how African entrepreneurs can shift from a consumer to a producer mindset, embrace design thinking, and use peer mentorship, creativity, and indigenous knowledge as powerful tools for lasting change.

Also, Amandine Robin said ‘Most startups fail because they spend their time solving problems nobody cares about. Successful solutions begin with empathy and a deep understanding of community needs.’

The event also featured the Impact Prize Awards, celebrating outstanding African social entrepreneurs driving change in their communities.

Dignitaries from various sectors are expected to attend the grand finale of the First Baptist Church’s 170th anniversary celebration, scheduled for November 2.

The chairperson of the 170th anniversary planning committee, Mrs Bimpe Adejunmobi-Apatira, briefed the newsmen in Lagos last Thursday.

She said: ‘The church has extended invitations to several notable individuals, including the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; his Chief of Staff, Mr. Tayo Ayinde; former LCCI President, Mr. Olawale Cole; and Chairman of Skymit, Mr. Tayo Ayeni, among others.’

She outlined the series of events planned for the celebration, which includes a family legacy celebration and a women’s choir event that has already taken place. Upcoming events include a youth choir festival, leading up to the church’s annual harvest, and the grand finale on November 2, 2025.

Originally founded on Broad Street in Lagos 170 years ago, the church has established twenty-three congregations both within and outside Nigeria. The church is involved in various mission areas, such as the Bassa Home Mission Field in Niger, Missionary Purse Ministries, Foreign Missions, the Cross River Mission Field, and the Togo Mission Field.

The Lead Pastor at the Baptist Church on Broad Street, Reverend (Dr) Julius Ayodele Oluwole, emphasized the spiritual purpose of celebrating the church’s 170th anniversary.

He stated, ‘This celebration allows us to reflect on the efforts of the founding fathers of the church, the impact they made, and the difference the church has made in the lives of its members and society as a whole.’

The cleric added that the event would showcase the church’s history and encourage the current generation to engage in evangelism, particularly targeting youth to help increase membership.

HRH Ambassador Ossai Ifeanyi will be present on October 15 and 16, 2025, in Washington, D.C., at Semafor’s World Economy Summit Fall Edition. Semafor-sponsored conference is hosted under the theme ‘Shaping the next era of stability and growth’ and is expected to bring together top world leaders, policymakers, industry experts, and academics to discuss current economic upheaval and policy response.

The two-day conference comes on the heels of ongoing inflationary pressure fears, geopolitical risk, and rapid technological change. The organizers of the conference have referred to the event as a platform for resilience, innovation, and institutional reform discourse in the midst of a chaotic global environment. The agenda is set to feature a series of panels and discussions with important speakers from finance, trade, and development circles.

Ambassador Ifeanyi is set to provide his contribution amidst strategic discussions addressing Africa’s international finance and governance. His contribution, according to reports, will address matters related to financing arrangements of African economies, terms of international investment, and African regional priorities in the international rulemaking institutions. Observers say the agenda for the summit is poised to place on the front burner policy issues and market plans with a focus on bolstering stability as well as inclusive growth.

Among the issues that are likely to be debated include debt sustainability, climate-related financial risks, and capital flows into emerging economies. No individual panel lineups have been publicly decided, but the event is described as having high-level panels, bilateral meetings, and networking opportunities that can influence policy debate among participating authorities and market participants.

Ossai Ifeanyi’s engagement is part of a broader pattern of involvement in international diplomacy and development channels. He is described as a diplomat and entrepreneur with roles linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network and the Institute for Economics and Peace, focusing on connections between global institutions and regional development in Africa and the Global South.

Organizers of the summit have not released a clear agenda for the participation of Ambassador Ifeanyi or the extent of bilateral interactions with particular institutions or officials.

Properties worth millions of naira have been lost to separate fire incidents that ravaged a residential building and a shopping complex in Ogbomoso and Ibadan respectively at the weekend.

Six rooms and three shops were destroyed in a fire that occurred in a residential building at the Oke-Elerin area of Ogbomoso.

Properties and other valuables worth millions of naira were lost in the incident, though no casualty was recorded.

Similarly, a shopping complex at the Bibilari area of Bashorun in Ibadan was gutted by fire, but only one of the twelve shops in the complex was affected.

It was gathered that the prompt response of personnel from the State Fire Service prevented the fire from spreading to other shops.

There was also no record of loss of life.

The two incidents were confirmed by the Special Adviser on Fire Reform and Chairman, Fire Services Agency, Hon. Dr Moroof Adebayo Akinwande.

He urged traders across the state to be conscious of fire risks and emphasised the importance of having and learning the correct use of fire extinguishers in their shops to help prevent small fires from escalating.

The Ijebu Muslim College Old Students Association (IMCOSA) has announced the launch of its N200 million IMCOSA Education Trust Fund (IETF) alongside its Biennial National Merit and Recognition Awards ceremony, scheduled for Saturday, October 25, 2025.

The event, set to take place at the prestigious Knowledge Hall within Ijebu Muslim College, Ijebu Ode, will honour distinguished members whose contributions have significantly advanced the association’s mission and the development of their beloved Alma mater.

According to Major General Abiodun Role (Rtd), Chairman of the Planning Committee, this year’s ceremony will spotlight the formal unveiling of the IMCOSA Education Trust Fund (IETF). Originally introduced in 2023 with a target of N100 million, the fund’s goal has now been revised to N200 million to reflect current economic realities and inflationary trends.

‘The IETF is a strategic initiative aimed at creating a sustainable financial base for upgrading educational infrastructure and resources at Ijebu Muslim College,’ said Maj General Role.

According to a statement made available to newsmen, the event will be chaired by renowned Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon and founder of Eye Foundation Hospital Group, Dr. Kunle Hassan while Alhaji Kayode Bakare, Executive Director of Wema Bank Plc, will serve as Chief Launcher, alongside Elder Daniel Imoudu and Sir Gregory Enahoro as Co-Chief Launchers. Several other eminent personalities are expected to grace the occasion.

The Planning Committee, therefore, encouraged all IMCOSA members to actively participate and contribute to the success of this historic reunion and philanthropic milestone.

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has reopened its student verification portal for 48 hours to enable tertiary institutions yet to complete their student verification exercise to do so.

According to the Fund, the 48-hour window followed the earlier closure of the verification portal for the 2024/2025 academic year and the need to give defaulting institutions a final opportunity to complete the verification process.

Director of Strategic Communications at NELFUND, Mrs Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, said in a statement issued in Abuja that the portal would be accessible from 12:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 12, 2025, to 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.

‘This extension is intended to ensure that all eligible students are duly captured and verified by their respective institutions as part of the ongoing 2024/2025 NELFUND loan application process.

‘Institutions are strongly advised to make full use of this final opportunity. Failure to complete the verification process within the stipulated period will result in the affected institutions forfeiting participation in the current loan cycle, a situation that will, regrettably, disadvantage their students who are the ultimate beneficiaries of the loan scheme,’ the Fund stated.

Oluwatuyi noted that, in the interest of transparency and accountability, the list of defaulting institutions had been published alongside the press release.

The Fund reaffirmed its commitment to fostering equitable access to higher education through the efficient, transparent, and inclusive management of the Nigerian Education Loan Scheme.

The Most Reverend Afolabi Amoo, Archbishop of Kwara Province and Bishop of the Diocese of New Bussa (Anglican Communion), stated that strengthening good governance structures is essential to addressing Nigeria’s challenges.

He made this remark during his address at the 26th Kwara Provincial Council meeting, which took place in Offa, Kwara State, on October 7th and 8th, 2025. The meeting’s theme was ‘Take Up Thy Cross and Follow Me’ (Matthew 16:24).

In discussing the state of the nation, Archbishop Amoo emphasized the urgent need to tackle corruption, as well as to address insecurity and economic difficulties. ‘Our survival as a nation rests solely in the hands of God, as every index of a sustainable nation has deteriorated. No sector of the economy is functioning as it should. We in faith-based ministries are not exempt, as we rely on the free will of church members,’ he said.

‘If our congregation members are struggling, they cannot contribute beyond their means. This exacerbates the challenges of missions and world evangelization and further weakens the moral fabric of the nation.’

He noted, ‘There is nothing that led to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah that has not occurred in our country. However, we believe there are still a few people standing in the gap and advocating for righteousness.’

Archbishop Amoo suggested that the nation’s challenges could be addressed by directly confronting corruption and strengthening mechanisms for good governance. He stressed that these steps are vital for restoring public confidence and ensuring national stability.

‘The challenge of developing a state or nation is not solely a leadership issue. There must be a collaborative effort between those in power and the citizens. We will continue to pray for our nation and fulfill our roles as people of faith.’

The Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, has moved a step higher in the rating of Nigerian universities, emerging 11th best in the country according to assessment by the Times Higher Education (THE) world university ratings.

The current rating, which is benchmarked against the year 2026, witnesses FUOYE doing better than the 2025 assessment, where the university came 12th in national rankings.

The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Abayomi Fasina, described the development as ‘an advancement in strategic planning and quality research and innovation-driven initiatives that the university maintains,’ commending staff and faculty members for the achievement.

The development followed a rejoinder by the management of the university, warning an ex-staff member, Saka Odunjo, from fueling a crisis in the university.

It will be recalled that Mr Odunjo had, last week, signed a petition to the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, making sweeping allegations against the management and governing council of the university.

But in a press release signed by the Public Relations Officer of FUOYE, Mr Folusho Ogunmodede, on behalf of management, during the weekend, said that Odunjo was unqualified to speak on behalf of the staff members of FUOYE, having been relieved of his job since February of this year.

The statement reads: ‘Saka Odunjo, who authored the alleged petition, lacked the required competence to speak on behalf of the teeming members of staff of the university, having been dismissed from FUOYE for serious misconduct in February this year.

‘Mr Odunjo is aggrieved that the university found him guilty for serious misconduct and was subsequently dismissed.

‘He is a rampaging snake whose head was cut off suddenly, looking for who to devour.

‘Who is Saka Odunjo to speak on behalf of FUOYE members of staff? Saka Odunjo is no longer a member of staff of FUOYE and can’t speak on their behalf.’

The statement further called on Sahara Reporters to be mindful of its publications about FUOYE, which, according to the Public Relations Officer, ‘smacks of desperation to demean FUOYE by accepting to publish obvious fabrications from dubious sources, including dismissed staff member of the university.’

Meanwhile, the university management has again expressed its confidence in the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of FUOYE Governing Council, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba’s leadership and the substantive Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina, who resumed office following the expiration of his six-month research leave.

‘We believe in our chairman, Distinguished Senator and revered Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, the statement added.

A suspected cultist, Oludare (surname withheld), has confessed to being a member of Neo Black Movement, also known as Black Axe or Aye Confraternity, while also disclosing that he is in the fourth person in the group’s hierarchy.

Oludare, popularly known as ’04’, was arrested by the Anti-Cultism Unit of Osun State Police Command following the recent killing of three young people, two of whom were students of Osun State College of Technology, Esa Oke, by suspected members of the Black Axe.

Sunday Tribune gathered that Black Axe cult members invaded the College of Technology on September 21, killing an HND I student, who was said to have belonged to Eiye Confraternity and was next in line to becoming the group’s Number 1.

It was further learnt that in defiance of the cancellation of sign-out ceremony usually done by final year students after their last paper, some final year students arranged a party in Ilo Community in Ijebu Jesa the following day, September 22. But Eiye cult members, in a reprisal attack, reportedly invaded the party and killed two persons, one of whom was in his sign-out shirt

Briefing journalists on how Oludare was arrested, the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, said that on September 30, at about 8a.m., the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU) of the command was informed by a member of the public that Aye cult members allegedly involved in the Esa Oke incident were sighted at Iyemogun area in Ilesa.

CP Gotan stated further that ACU operatives swung into action and arrested Oludare while others fled.

Information gathered by the police had it that Oludare allegedly aided the escape of the perpetrators of the killing in the college by taking them through Ijaregbe on Ijebu Jesa Road.

However, the Ilesa-born suspect, aged 28, denied being part of the killing in Esa Oke, though he admitted to being a member of Aye Confraternity.

He said in an interview: ‘It is true that I’m an Aye Confraternity member, but I did not step into the College of Technology in Esa Oke on the day the students signed out. I have neither handled a vehicle nor motorcycle, so I was not the one who helped Aye Confraternity members to escape after the killing. I didn’t go to meet them in Ijebu Jesa as being said. I practise my Aye cult membership in Ilesa, where I’m domiciled.’

Though he admitted being the one who spoke in a voice note sent to one of his cult group members identified as ‘Rude Boy,’ wherein he asked why they should ‘run shit’ in broad daylight. He said that he was referring to the clash, not the killing.

He also admitted telling the cult member that his photo and those of others had been posted on Eiye Confraternity’s platform as targets.

‘I didn’t know about the plan for the deadly clash. Those of us based in Ilesa were not involved. We were at peace there,’ he said.

He also told the Sunday Tribune how he became a cult member and was elevated to the Number 4 position: ‘I joined Black Axe Confraternity in 2023. I approached a friend named Ayo to join the cult group. He was a neighbourhood brother but is dead now. He had confided in me that he was a cultist. Why I decided to join was because at that time, people used to take me for a ride. Others guys used to oppress me, so I decided to become a cultist to stop that,’ he said.

Speaking on how he was initiated, Oludare disclosed: ‘I was taken inside the bush late in the night. There were many of us and we were all beaten. They made an incision on our thumbs and pressed droplets of blood on pieces of kolanut. We were made to eat the kolanut as a form of oath. After some time, we were declared members of the cult group.’

He claimed that he had never been involved in cult clashes, but was made Number 4 because of his being very active. He revealed the duties he was performing as a result of his position,: ‘As Number 4, it was my duty to punish our members found fomenting trouble anywhere. I would go there and carry such member away for punishment due to him.’

With Number 4 having the responsibility of being the group’s armourer and the one to forcefully collect from members and non-members, Oludare said: ‘I used to send my ‘butchers’ to collect the money which would be handed over to me.’

Another suspect, Ridwan Alawode, popularly known as Rado, aged 26, also said he’s not a cultist, but police authorities told Sunday Tribune that he had been arrested sometime ago for allegedly killing one Waheed, an allegation which he also denied.

He said further that the deceased was killed and set ablaze in his neighbourhood but he was not involved in.

Alawode said he was picked because he sat to interact with some youths at the area the incident occurred.

The case is said to still be in court.

He was also said to have allegedly inflicted machete cuts on someone during Osun Festival on August 8.

Boluwatife Olofin, aged 22, who was also arrested for engaging in cultism, told the Sunday Tribune that he joined Alora to get connected with top shots.

The Ekiti-born suspect said: ‘I live in Ibadan. I’m a cultist but was not part of the recent clash. I joined Alora cult before I gained admission into the College of Technology.

‘I was initiated into the group by one area brother who is now in one of the country’s security forces. I was the one who intimated him of my intention to join a cult group,’ he said.

On why he decided to join Alora cult group, he said: ‘I preferred the Alora cult group because I always envied the way they dress up as fine guys. I noticed the were well connected. I also craved for money.’

He said he’s also into yahoo business which he started in 2020 after his secondary school education.

‘I went through the usual initiation process. We were beaten, had our fingers incised with a blade. Our blood was mixed with something and we were given to eat,’ he stated.

The police command is currently in search of one Jamiu a.k.a Rude Boy and another one popularly known as Elewedu, alleged to have actively participated in the school invasion, while investigation is still ongoing.