Francesca Odimgbe
Asido Foundation, a leading non-profit mental health advocacy organisation, held the third edition of the Jemila Abubakar Memorial Essay (JAME) Award Ceremony and Special Investiture Ceremony in honour of Miss Jemila Abubakar, the organisation’s pioneer program manager, who passed away in July 2020 after a brief illness.
The event took place at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
The event saw Chiahanam Nwobodo from the University of Nigeria winning top award with cash prize of ₦200,000.
Nwobodo, was followed by Ridwan Oladimeji Sulayman from the University of Ilorin who received an endowment of ₦150,000, and OluwagbemisolaAkinjobi from the University of Ibadan who got an award prize of ₦100,000.
The JAME competition is an essay competition centred on a topical mental health issue, organised annually by the Asido Foundation for undergraduate students of Nigerian tertiary institutions. The competition supports youth mental health capacity building, which is intended to improve Nigerian youths’ mental health awareness and knowledge.
Dr. Jibril Abdulmalik, Founder and CEO, Asido Foundation, expressed optimism that mental health awareness will continue to grow. He urged Nigerians to show empathy, love, and understanding towards individuals and families affected by mental health issues, despite the pervasive shame, stigma, and discrimination that exist in our society. “Let us continue to support mental health awareness,” he stated.
The Asido Foundation honoured various dignitaries as Special Ambassadors for Mental Health at the event, which included Her Excellency, Chief Mrs. Ajibola Lawal, Senator (Dr) Ibrahim Y. Oloriegbe, Prof. Oye Gureje, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, Prof. Taiwo Lateef Sheikh, HRH Prof. Halidu Abubakar, Dr. Anthony Marinho, Professor Cheluchi Onyemelukwe, and Dr. Kolade Mosuro.
The JAME competition received an impressive number of entries from various tertiary institutions across all thirty-six Nigerian states. Almost two thousand (2000) entries were received, making the competition one of the largest of its kind in the country.
After a thorough evaluation, the winners of the JAME Competition were announced and awarded cash prizes along with a prestigious award.
The top 15 entries will also benefit from a one-year mentorship program to help them become mental health advocates. This program will equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to create a positive impact on mental health awareness and advocacy in Nigeria.
