Mental Health Outreach: Alenkhe Challenges Edo NUJ Chapels to Replicate Federated Chapel’s Programme

Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council and Acting Managing Director of EBS, Festus Alenkhe, has challenged the remaining 14 chapels of the union to emulate the Federated Chapel by championing impactful community outreach programmes that address critical social issues, particularly mental health awareness.

Alenkhe made the call at the 2026 Annual Lecture of the Federated Chapel, held under the theme, “Mental Health Awareness and the Role of Opposition Parties in a Democratic System.” The event attracted top government officials, healthcare professionals, political stakeholders and media practitioners.

The NUJ chairman commended the Federated Chapel for its proactive approach to community service, describing its pre-event mental health awareness campaign and free screening exercise for commercial drivers at Obakhavbaye Central Motor Park as a model worthy of replication across all NUJ chapels in Edo State.

He urged journalists to go beyond news reporting by initiating programmes that directly impact the lives of citizens, stressing that the media must remain a catalyst for positive social change.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Federated Chapel, Ms Mercy Akuba in her welcome address, described mental health as a critical foundation for national productivity and development, noting that journalists, drivers, civil servants and students face enormous daily pressures that demand greater psychological support. She announced that the outreach to commercial drivers would become an annual initiative of the chapel.

Delivering the keynote lecture on “Knowing Your Mental Health Status: A Pre-requisite for a Robust and Productive Economy,” Senior Registrar at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Benin City, Dr. Okonkwo Bartholomew, warned that untreated mental health conditions continue to undermine workplace productivity and national economic growth.

He advocated regular mental health screening, early intervention and sustained efforts to eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness, insisting that understanding one’s mental health status is essential to building a productive workforce.

Speaking on “The Role of Opposition Parties in Our Democracy,” Executive Representative of Connected Advocacy, Mr. Israel Orekha, underscored the importance of a vibrant opposition in strengthening democratic governance.

He argued that effective opposition provides the checks and balances needed to prevent abuse of power, promote accountability and present alternative policy options, warning that the absence of a credible opposition could weaken democratic institutions.

In his goodwill message, Permanent Secretary, Edo State Ministry of Transportation, Barr. (Dr.) Samson Erhaze, applauded the collaboration between the Federated Chapel and the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Uselu, describing the initiative as timely and impactful.

He noted that mental wellness plays a significant role in workplace efficiency, transportation safety and sustainable development, while commending the media for using its platform to promote public health awareness.