Inaugural lecture » DAILYLINKS

Prof Afolayan advocates for urgent mental health reforms in Nigeria

by Editor November 2, 2024

written by Editor

Professor Joel Adeleke Afolayan from the Department of Nursing Science at the University of Ilorin has called for urgent reforms to address society’s widespread neglect of mental health.

Delivering the university’s 267th inaugural lecture titled, “Mind Over Matter in the Removal of the Thick Veil of Negligence,” Professor Afolayan emphasized how societal indifference to mental health stifles personal potential and societal progress.

In his lecture, the Professor Nursing urged for a shift in both cultural and policy perspectives on mental health. He argued that negligence of both personal and institutional prevents recognition of mental health’s vital role in individual lives and collective resilience.

“Negligence robs us of our potential, stifles growth, and hinders progress,” he stated, suggesting that addressing this indifference could unlock new pathways for societal development.

Central to his message was the concept of “Mind over Matter,” higlighting the resilience of the human mind in overcoming adversity.

Drawing on ideas from Buddhism, Hinduism, and Stoicism, Professor Afolayan advocated for cultivating mindfulness, self-awareness, and positive thinking to improve mental well-being. Although some may dismiss this as lacking scientific basis, he noted its metaphorical power in inspiring people to harness mental strength to face challenges.

Among his recommendations, Professor Afolayan called for policy changes that prioritize mental health, increased funding for mental health services, and greater access to care.

He also emphasized the importance of inclusive community practices, urging society to promote diversity, challenge stereotypes, and build stronger social connections.

In particular, he advocated for the full implementation of Nigeria’s National Mental Health Act of 2023, which he hailed as a milestone in advancing mental health services in the country.

Highlighting the critical role of nursing in mental health care, Professor Afolayan pointed to studies linking mental health issues, such as anxiety, to poor academic performance.

He stressed the need for a supportive culture within educational and healthcare institutions, warning that without proper support, nurses face high risks of burnout and compassion fatigue.

Professor Afolayan, however, urged individuals, communities, and policymakers to work collectively to remove the barriers of negligence surrounding mental health.

He envisioned a more compassionate and resilient society where mental health is recognized as a top priority, emphasizing that education and awareness are key to dispelling stigmas associated with mental illness.

November 2, 2024 0 comment 29 views

Education Law News

Adebayo advocates specialized Court on women’s reproductive rights

by Editor October 7, 2024

written by Editor

A Professor in the Department of Private and Property Law, Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin, Mahmud Kayode Adebayo, has called for the establishment of a specialized court to handle cases related to women’s reproductive rights.

He argued that the current Family Court is not adequately addressing critical issues such as marital rape, widowhood rites, and other forms of gender-based violence.

Professor Adebayo emphasized that women and girls deserve the autonomy to make decisions about their bodies, including the right to determine when or whether to have children, seek medical care, and live free from coercion or violence, even as he noted that a dedicated court would provide women with a more effective avenue for seeking justice.

Delivering the University of Ilorin’s 265th inaugural lecture, titled “On the Reproductive Autonomy of My Right or Not My Choice,” Professor Adebayo expressed the urgent need for legal and policy reforms to protect and uphold women’s reproductive rights in Nigeria.

In his lecture, he stressed the importance of granting women full autonomy over decisions concerning their bodies, particularly their right to choose when and whether to become pregnant.

He criticized Nigeria’s existing legal framework for failing to adequately protect women’s reproductive health rights and called for significant constitutional reforms to address these gaps.

One of his key recommendations was the amendment of Chapter V of the Constitution, which addresses Fundamental Human Rights, to explicitly include women’s reproductive rights as enforceable socio-cultural rights. Alternatively, he proposed the creation of a separate chapter dedicated exclusively to these rights in future constitutional amendments.

Professor Adebayo also emphasized the need for free access to essential services for women, including healthcare and legal support, to combat gender-based violence and harmful traditional practices, such as female genital mutilation.

Furthermore, he advocated for the harmonization of international protocols and treaties on women’s reproductive rights into a single domestic legal instrument to strengthen enforcement in Nigeria.

Additional recommendations from his lecture included public awareness campaigns to educate women on their reproductive rights, as well as stronger partnerships between the government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for reproductive health advocacy.

“Organizations such as the Women Aid Collective (WACOL), the Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH), and the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations of Nigeria (FOMWAN) are already doing commendable work in promoting women’s reproductive health rights. However, stronger partnerships between governmental and non-governmental bodies are essential to achieving meaningful impact,” he noted.

Professor Adebayo also called for clearer legal frameworks to regulate family planning, contraception, and abortion, which he argued are critical to safeguarding women’s reproductive autonomy.

Additionally, he urged the reform of the language and content of the 1999 Constitution to remove sections that perpetuate gender discrimination, particularly in the areas of citizenship and women’s rights to confer nationality on their spouses.

October 7, 2024 0 comment 31 views

Business Editor's Picks Education Features News Politics

Ijaiya urges financial reforms in Inaugural Lecture… Advocates for increased financial literacy, rural development

by Editor November 18, 2023

written by Editor

In a compelling inaugural lecture held at the University of Ilorin on Thursday, November 16, 2023, Professor Muftau Adeniyi Ijaiya, a distinguished scholar from the Department of Finance, shed light on the pivotal role of finance in shaping global economies, with a specific focus on Nigeria.

The lecture, titled “Money Matters in All Matters,” delved into critical issues affecting the nation’s economic stability and proposed comprehensive reforms to address them.

Professor Ijaiya elucidated the intricate connection between finance and the success of both private and public entities. He argued that disruptions in the finance process, as exemplified by fluctuations in global oil prices, have a cascading effect on businesses, often leading to economic recessions. Nigeria’s vulnerability to such downturns due to its heavy reliance on oil revenue was a central point in the professor’s discourse.

A significant portion of the lecture was dedicated to dissecting the impact of subsidies on government revenue. Professor Ijaiya spotlighted the challenges posed by subsidies, particularly in the context of the Nigerian government’s inability to control leakages in the current Petrol subsidy regime.

He advocated for the removal of subsidies beyond governmental control, proposing that these funds be redirected to fortify critical infrastructural and social facilities, thereby uplifting citizens’ quality of life.

Professor Ijaiya underscored Nigeria’s standing at 109th on the Global Financial Literacy Ranking, attributing the country’s financial mismanagement partly to its low financial literacy level. The scholar urged the government to prioritize financial education, calling for increased budgetary allocations to the education sector at all levels.

Turning his attention to rural finance policies, Professor Ijaiya criticized the existing bias in favour of formal financial institutions, neglecting the underserved poor. He proposed a paradigm shift towards microfinance, emphasizing the need for small loans to unemployed individuals and impoverished entrepreneurs who lack access to traditional credit due to the absence of collateral or credit history.

Proffering solutions, Professor Ijaiya stressed the need for the government to enhance infrastructural facilities in rural areas, including roads, water supply, and electricity, to attract people and stimulate economic activities.

Recommending increased government spending in the agricultural sector, the professor highlighted the importance of maintaining critical infrastructure and institutions. Stable macroeconomic policies were also advised to support agricultural output.

The professor urged financial institutions, especially banks, to play a more active role in financing agriculture. Encouraging joint liability among farmers as collateral and the introduction of agricultural saving schemes were proposed.

Professor Ijaiya advocated for government support to informal microfinance activities, emphasizing the importance of cash and training for savings and credit clubs. This, he believes, would enhance the economic activities of rural dwellers.

The need for higher government budgetary allocations to the education sector was underscored, aiming to improve financial literacy and reduce citizens’ expenses on education.

The professor recommended the provision of minimum healthcare services in rural areas to alleviate the financial burden on rural dwellers and enable them to allocate funds for other purposes.

To ensure quality housing and reduce risks associated with land purchases, Professor Ijaiya proposed the establishment of a rural regulatory body.

The lecturer called for intensified efforts to combat insurgency and corruption, redirecting funds to address the aforementioned recommendations and improve citizens’ quality of life.

Professor Muftau Adeniyi Ijaiya concluded his lecture with a compelling call to action, urging the Nigerian government to prioritize comprehensive financial reforms and inclusive development. The implementation of these recommendations, he argued, is imperative for steering the nation towards economic prosperity and improving the overall well-being of its citizens.

November 18, 2023 0 comment 60 views