Today, 10th October, being the World Mental Health Day for 2024, The Avalanche Initiative (TAVI) under the convener, Mr Samson Omotosho held the third edition of its conference TAVI 3.0 themed “Mental Health is A Universal Human Right: Drug Evidence Is Clear. Invest in Prevention, Raise Awareness” at Center 99 Event Hall, Ring Road, Ibadan, Oyo State.
According to the convener, the motives behind the conference was to enlighten the public on the negative effects of drug usage and measures to follow to save the young minds and adults from have such beliefs of “drugs such as cannabis give inspirations”.
The conference aimed at sensitizing its attendees so as not to fall victims of drug abuse which has become rampant in the country, nowadays.
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The keynote speaker, Dr Olusola Saheed Ayoola, the CEO of Robotic and Artificial Intelligence of Nigeria (RAIN) while speaking at the mental health day event noted that, “the advancement of artificial intelligence is not only a blessing, it can as well be a good catalyst for good mental health, therefore, it is imperative to sensitize ourselves.”
He further stated that, “Drug Abuse cannot only be caused by peer group influence, it can also be caused by our relationship with Artificial Intelligence algorithms such as video games, social media, sport betting, and other sorts of AI generated videos and apps. Addictions to any of the aforementioned can lead to taking illegal drugs especially amongst youth, so one needed to be careful in their dealings with AI, because they can read and manipulate one’s mind.”
Providing solutions to the above, he mentioned that, measures such as being conversant with one’s environment, monitoring social media usage, and macro/micro mood detector algorithms supports should be provided by the responsible agencies and organizations.
Rounding up his speech, he added that the conference will sensitize the attendees especially the secondary school students to exempt from drug usage right from the current level till the higher level.
In a chat by OYSUN NEWS correspondent with a health specialist in the Oyo State Ministry of Health, Engr Adekunle Aremu, he stressed that mental health is a right not a privilege, and it is important that everyone especially children are well grounded in understanding the negative effects of drug usage on their mental wellness, and this kind of conference served as an avenue to learn about this.
He further commended the organizers of the mental health day conference for such an Initiative, especially by enabling the participation of secondary school students at their adolescent age.
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There were side attractions in the conference including an inter-school debate between eight different schools, where IbaduRahmon school emerged as the 2nd runner up, I-flier College as the 1st runner up and Sunshine Schools as the Winner of the debate.
Awards and prizes were however presented to the winners. Also present at the conference were some dignitaries including; the NDLEA Commander of Oyo State, Commander Olayinka Joel Fadile, the CEO of Sure Hope Counseling Clinic, Mrs Tosin Togun, Pastor Tunji Agboola, Dr Manuel Olusanya, amongst others.
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