For the first time in Akwa Ibom State, World Mental Health Day has been marked in the State. The event was organized by Mobile Manna Foundation, using the occasion to perform the Opening Ceremony of her temporary world-class Mental Health Rehabilitation and Research Centre, 72 Ikot Udoro Road, Uyo.
The Opening Ceremony was preceded by a public lecture delivered by Dr. Festus Abasiubong, Head of Department of Mental Health, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) entitled: Mental Health in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects. The Foundation also marked the Day with a Road-Walk to create public awareness on the plight of mentally ill persons, how they can have access to treatment and care, and showing that depression is truly a global crisis.
The campaign was well attended by the members of the Foundation and the public, especially the students from the University of Uyo, Uyo. The Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State was represented at the Opening Ceremony by Deputy Chief Registrar, Customary Court Directorate, Chief Magistrate Rosemary Uko who acknowledged that the facility is standard and prayed for immediate rehabilitation of persons at the Centre.
Also present were Mrs. Helen Ukpabio, Honourable Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Udoabang, Chairman Nigerian Medical Association, Akwa Ibom State Branch, Hon Chris Udofia, former Chairman of Uyo Local Government Area, Prof. Inyang Udofot, Dean of Arts, University of Uyo, Dr. Boniface Ukpong, Ministry of Health, Uyo amongst others.
During the tour of the facility, the CEO described a state of art Research Unit as “the engine room of the Centre and the hub of Mobile Manna Foundation.”