Nigerian experts have called on the federal government and major stakeholders to invest more in stress management in order to reduce the negative effects of the menace in the country, which, according to reports, leads to deaths and other forms of crises when not properly managed.
This was the focus of a medical outreach organised by the Institute of Stress Management in Nigeria in Karu, Abuja, on Saturday to sensitise and create awareness on the dangers of the negative effects of stress, as well as the concomitant dangers of poverty and unemployment as the main drivers of stress in the country.
Chronic stress in Nigeria triggers severe physical, mental, and occupational consequences driven by economic hardship, gruelling daily commutes, and a demanding work environment.
In his welcome address, the Traditional Chief of Karu, Joseph Danfulani Narai, who was represented by Madaki Makama Yamma, commended the Institute for its foresight in sensitising the people on the effects of stress through the outreach and pledged his support to the Institute.
President and Founder of the Institute, Dr Frederick Abuchi Obidigwe, in his remarks, said stress threatens happiness, health, self-esteem, service delivery and peace. He attributed violent conflict, poor service delivery, low productivity, cardiovascular diseases and socio-economic crisis to stress.
He therefore called on the government to provide good governance, saying “it is our belief that sustainable peace, justice, equity, respect to our nascent democracy, rule of law, accountability and respect of human and democratic rights of all Nigerians can only be achieved through good governance”.
He added that non-violent, indigenous, and positive reforms, based on a comprehensive awareness of Nigeria’s diversity and the participation of the government and the general public, will go a long way in addressing the crisis.
“Stress is a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. It is a natural response that prompts us to address challenges and threats in our lives. In fact, everyone seated here today experiences stress in one way or another, and it can manifest as physical, emotional, and behavioural responses.
“Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension or thoughts that makes you feel frustrated, angry or nervous. Stress is an enemy of peace; it is an undependable variable that changes the minds of its victims for destruction,” he added.
He noted that “total commitment from governments’ agencies, corporate organisations and individuals in managing stress will facilitate effective development interventions in the country.”
Another expert in stress management, Odoba Abel Oche, said stress has both positive and negative effects, adding that the increasing negative effects are a result of unemployment and underemployment, which have pushed mostly young people into drugs and criminality, coupled with the poverty ravaging Africa and Nigeria.
He tasked the government with reducing hardship in the country by empowering the youth with good jobs, even as he called on the Nigerian government to support the institute in carrying out more sensitisation programmes.
The highlight of the occasion was the Institute’s free medical services offered to the community’s inhabitants.
