The Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Engr. Salihu Yakubu Danladi, has reiterated the legislature’s commitment to prioritizing mental health and psychological well-being, particularly for security personnel, across the state.
He made this known at the Men’s Mental Health Conference held in Ilorin on Wednesday, July 31, 2025.
Organized under the auspices of Peace, Progress, and Unity Global Initiative, the two-day conference was convened by Amb. Dr. Prevail Farida O. Ahmed, FCPA, DFILMMD-UK (Eshet Chayil), a renowned peace advocate and mental health campaigner.
The event included a mental health awareness road walk across Ilorin and a full-day conference at the Banquet Hall, Ilorin.
Speaker Danladi, who was ably represented by the Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Hon. Ogbeni Seun Ogunniyi, delivered a goodwill message in which he applauded the initiative while affirming that the 10th Kwara Assembly is fully aligned with the campaign for mental health awareness and reform, especially among frontline workers in the security sector.
Themed around breaking the silence on men’s mental health, the event featured a keynote address delivered by the Kwara State Commissioner for Social Development, Hajia Mariam Nnafatima Imam, PhD, as well as panel discussions, technical papers, and recognition awards for individuals and organizations contributing meaningfully to mental health and social development in the state.
Amb. Dr. Prevail Farida emphasized that the conference was born out of a strong desire to address the long-ignored emotional and psychological burdens faced by men, particularly officers within security agencies such as the Nigerian Police Force, NSCDC, Armed Forces, DSS, EFCC, Immigration, Customs, and Correctional Service.
Hon. Ogunniyi, speaking on behalf of the Speaker, called for deliberate and sustained advocacy, urging government agencies, civil society, and traditional institutions to amplify mental health campaigns and create safe spaces for men to speak up.
Also present at the event were key government dignitaries including: Princess Olubukola Babalola, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Saadu Salaudeen, Counsellor to the Governor, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Jiddah, Special Adviser on Special Duties, Hon. Mikhail Aileru, Special Adviser on Drug Control among others.
The event also recorded strong attendance from traditional rulers, religious leaders, and a broad delegation from transport associations including NURTW, RTEAN, and motorcycle/tricycle unions, signaling the wide reach and societal relevance of the conference.
