The Jemila Abubakar Memorial Essay (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 in memory of Miss Jemila Abubakar, the organisation’s pioneer programme manager, who passed away in July 2020 after a brief illness.
She lived an exemplary life of service to humanity, having suffered a tragic accident during her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year which subsequently confined her to a wheelchair. However, she maintained a very positive, optimistic personality with an ever-constant smile on her face always. She was selfless in her service to others and was deeply passionate about empathy and promoting mental health awareness in our society. She channeled her inner pain and traumatic experience into inspiration to help others who may be similarly going through pain and trauma. This ability to transcend her challenges and give freely of herself to others, is a critical reason why she has been immortalized via the JAME competition to inspire students across the country.
The competition supports one of the core values of Asido Foundation, Youth Mental Health, and is intended to improve Nigerian youths’ mental health awareness and knowledge, as well as empower them to become mental health champions via a year-long mentorship program for the top fifteen winners. The Asido Foundation is a leading not-for-profit mental health advocacy organization that seeks to promote better understanding and awareness around mental health issues in Nigeria and across Africa. www.asidofoundation.com
Since its inception, over 3,000 entries have been received from various tertiary institutions across all 36 Nigerian states, and winners awarded cash prizes. All winners were presented with award plaques and selected for a mental health fellowship. Specifically, the overall winner received an award of ₦200,000, the second position, ₦150,000 and the third position, ₦100,000 only.
Why is mental health awareness promotion important?
Mental health problems, suicide and drug abuse are increasing globally, and in Nigeria, with and estimated one in every four persons at risk of developing a mental health problem during their lifetime. For Nigeria, that implies that 50 million Nigerians are at risk. So, if an average family has four members, then every family has at least one member at risk.
Yet there is a lot of ignorance, shame, stigma and misunderstanding around mental ill-health in our society. Most affected persons in our communities do not receive quality mental health care. They are more likely to be hidden away, chained, or taken to places where they will be physically, emotionally, and sometimes sexually abused. There should be no more shame and stigma for mental disorders, the same way there is no shame or stigma with having a fracture or hypertension.
About JAME 2025 award ceremony
This year’s event was graced with distinguished dignitaries from all sectors of society in attendance, and it was chaired by Professor Olayiwola B. Shittu, eminent Professor of Urological Surgery and patron of the Asido Foundation. In his opening remarks, Prof Shittu exhorted everyone to contribute towards dealing with the rising cases of mental health challenges in Nigeria. He lauded the efforts of the Asido Foundation and committed to supporting the cause of the Foundation while also encouraging everyone present to support the work of the Foundation.
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The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof Kayode Adebowale, was represented by the Prof Ademola Lewis, who affirmed that the University of Ibadan has not only established a Committee for Student Mental Health but have developed and ratified a Student Mental Health Policy. This demonstrates our commitment to the emotional wellbeing of all students and staff of the University of Ibadan. Prof Remi Raji, of the University of Ibadan delivered the keynote speech where he emphasized the role of everyone standing to be counted in the promotion of mental health awareness. He also charged the Asido Foundation to use culturally appropriate means of pushing the mental health message into the community.
Several distinguished guests were honored in a special investiture ceremony as Special Ambassadors for Mental Health by the Asido Foundation and they included Oluremi Osiberu, Prof Abiodun Ilesanmi, a former CMD of UCH, Ibadan; Mr Jide Odusolu; Mr Laolu Akande, an eminent journalist and former spokesperson to the immediate past Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo; Mrs Adun Fasuyi, a business mogul; Dr Segun Awosanya (Segalinks), a human rights activist and business consultant; Mr Ayokunle Ojo, GM Treasury, First Bank; Professor Omolola Atalabi, an eminent Radiologist; Mr Tolu Ogunlesi, accomplished Nigerian journalist; Dr Munirat Antoinette Lecky, business entrepreneur and philanthropist; Mr Fawaz Abdul, Entrepreneur and youth political leader; and Adaugo Uzoma-Adebimpe, an award winning media professional.
The Founder and CEO of Asido Foundation, Dr Jibril Abdulmalik expressed optimism that mental health awareness will continue to grow and encouraged all Nigerians to actively participate to end the pervasive shame, stigma, and discrimination in our society.
and then