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 on Wednesday, February 8th, at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

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.

Winners include those listed below:

Chiahanam Nwobodo from the University of Nigeria got an award prize of ₦200,000.

Ridwan Oladimeji Sulayman from the University of Ilorin received an endowment of ₦150,000.

Oluwagbemisola Akinjobi from the University of Ibadan got an award prize of ₦100,000.

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.

About Asido Foundation:

Asido Foundation is a leading non-profit mental health advocacy organisation in Nigeria, dedicated to promoting awareness, providing support and advocacy, and influencing policies to improve mental health outcomes in Nigeria. The Foundation has been working tirelessly for almost a decade to ensure that mental health in Nigeria is recognised and treated as a critical public health issue.

For more information, please visit www.asidofoundation.com.

Captions:

Photo 1:

Dr. Jibril Abdulmalik, Consultant Psychiatrist and Founder, Asido Foundation, at the Award Ceremony of the 3rd Jemila Abubakar Memorial Essay (JAME) Competition and the Investiture Ceremony of Special Ambassadors and New Patrons held in Ibadan on February 8, 2023.
L-R: Mr. Mohammed Ademola, Director of Youth Mental Health, Asido Foundation; Miss Semilore Ateere, National President, Asido Campus Network (ACN); Ajibola Lawal, wife of the Deputy Governor, Oyo State; Dr. Jibril Abdulmalik, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Asido Foundation; Mr. Olumide Abiola, Account Officer, Asido Foundation; and Miss Tawakalitu Olaoluwa, Vice President, Asido Campus Network (UI) during the 3rd Jemila Abubakar Memorial Essay (JAME) Competition award ceremony held in Ibadan on February 8, 2023.
Prof. Halidu Abubakar, Emir of Ilesha-Baruba, Baruten LGA, Kwara State, and his wife, Victoria Abubakar, presented the award to the overall winner of the 3rd Jemila Abubakar Memorial Essay (JAME) competition, Chiahanam Nwogbodo from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, during the award ceremony held in Ibadan on February 8, 2023.
Ajibola Lawal, wife of the Deputy Governor, Oyo State, presents the award for 2nd position to the 1st runner-up, Ridwan Oladimeji Sulayman from the University of Ilorin, during the 3rd Jemila Abubakar Memorial Essay (JAME) competition award ceremony held in Ibadan on February 8, 2023.
Ajibola Lawal, wife of the Deputy Governor, Oyo State, presents the award of 3rd position to the 2nd runner-up, Miss Oluwagbemisola Akinjobi from the University of Ibadan, during the 3rd Jemila Abubakar Memorial Essay (JAME) competition award ceremony held in Ibadan on February 8, 2023.
The top 15 winners of the 3rd Jemila Abubakar Memorial Essay (JAME) competition with the Abubakar family and Chief Executive Officer and Founder of the Asido Foundation, Dr. Jibril Abdulmalik, during the award ceremony in Ibadan on February 8, 2023.
The Asido Foundation Leadership Team Members at the 3rd Jemila Abubakar Memorial Essay (JAME) Competition Award Ceremony and Investiture Ceremony of New Patrons and Special Ambassadors for Mental Health, held in Ibadan on February 8, 2023.
Prof. Idowu Olayinka, (L), Former Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, and Dr. Jibril Abdulmalik, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Asido Foundation, at the 3rd Jemila Abubakar Memorial Essay (JAME) award ceremony and investiture ceremony of new patrons and special ambassadors for mental health held in Ibadan on February 8, 2023.
L-R: Ajibola Lawal, Wife of the Deputy Governor, Oyo State; Dr Bode Ladipo, Oyo State Commissioner for Health; and Dr. Jibril Abdulmalik, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Asido Foundation, during the 3rd Jemila Abubakar Memorial Essay (JAME) award ceremony and investiture ceremony of new patrons and special ambassadors for mental health held in Ibadan on February 8, 2023.
Ajibola Lawal, wife of the Deputy Governor, Oyo State (L), and Prof. Oyewusi Gureje, Professor of Psychiatry and Director, WHOCC for Research and Training in Mental Health, received his award as Asido Foundation’s Special Ambassador for Mental Health at the 3rd Jemila Abubakar Memorial Essay (JAME) competition award ceremony and investiture ceremony of new patrons and special ambassadors for mental health, held in Ibadan on February 8, 2023.

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