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How Childhood Trauma Causes Complex Trauma – Merino

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How Childhood Trauma Causes Complex Trauma - Merino

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John Michael Ojo

The President of Jars Group and Jars Therapeutics, Professor Akindotun Merino has disclosed that childhood trauma can become a foundation for complex trauma in the life of an individual if not properly treated

Merino said this during the trauma care awareness walk to mark this year’s mental health week on Wednesday

Jars Education Group and Jars Therapeutics,  bodies which seek to provide mental health care services to individuals in Lagos State and its environs embarked on a trauma  awareness walk to  sensitise Lagos residents to the impact of trauma among individuals and the nation at large.

The exercise led by the US-trained professor of psychology began with a procession from Allen Junction in Ikeja axis of the state to the governor’s office in Alausa where they had intended to register their presence and mission.

The awareness walk which had participants carrying placards such as “trauma kills”, “if it is hysterical, it is historical,” “stand against domestic violence”,  “end childhood trauma”,  “emotional trauma is real in Nigeria”,  “domestic abuse is a human rights violation” amongst others had other groups such as Sickle Cell Management Initiative in attendance.

While responding to questions from our correspondent,  Prof. Merino who is in the country to contribute her quota to addressing mental health issues such as trauma, stated that there was a great need for government to collaborate with other professionals in the country to provide effective and affordable trauma care services to individuals at all levels in order to address the menace’s long-term consequences such as under-productivity.

According to her, there are different types of trauma which are type one and type two. While type one trauma is well known and can be easily identified by people, the type two trauma is often not psychosocial in nature, she said.

“This is a trauma awareness walk, this is mental health week and we are addressing trauma because trauma is a mental health issue. There are different types of trauma.

“There is type one and type two trauma, type one trauma are the ones you all know such as an accident, an abuse of all kinds but type two trauma are not well known. There is a neglect of a child, abusing a child probably verbally, some types of domestic violence that includes financial violence, emotional abuse.

“They are not usually taken into consideration but these things have a way of impacting your life, Childhood trauma is the foundation for complex trauma”, she said.

According to her, if one is not strong enough “once you have a childhood trauma,  you are set up to have different types of trauma all the years of your life if you are not treated.

“We are drawing attention to Nigerians and Lagos State especially to say this is something we have to care about,  not just mental health but trauma care. That people in homes are suffering,  little kids don’t need to be told that they are not good enough, abuse them and things like that, parents working several jobs without dedicating time for their kids, when you  are hitting your wife or husband all these could become traumatic,” she said.

While commending the Lagos State government for its support towards providing its residents with comprehensive health care services,  Merino urged the government and other nongovernmental  organisations to support her course through collaborative effort in order to reach a greater number of people as the government cannot do it alone.

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“The government cannot do it all alone,  we need other people. I also want International bodies to know that this is something they all need to gather around to fix up”, she said.

She also disclosed that an individual could be dealing with trauma if he/she lacks  concentration, unable  to complete a common task, constantly yelling, having insomnia (the inability to sleep) etc.

She added that the group has two facilities located in Ijaiye and another in Ikorodu area of the state. She said the facilities are very accessible and provide services to the public almost at a no cost and anyone who is dealing with any trauma-related challenges can walk in to receive appropriate support from professionals who are ever-ready to lend their services.

 

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Falola To Deliver Memorial Lecture In Honour Of Olukotun

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Dele Jegede In Conversation With Prince Yemisi Shyllon
Prof. Toyin Falola

Lead City University, Ibadan, is set to host an inaugural memorial lecture in honour of the late renowned scholar and public intellectual, Prof. Ayo Olukotun.

Olukotun, an activist, public intellectual, erudite scholar, accomplished journalist, professor of Political Science, and a dedicated columnist for The PUNCH died on January 4, 2023 at age 69.

The event, scheduled for Tuesday, March 18, 2025, will hold at Adeline Hall within the university’s premises, starting at 10:30 a.m. The lecture, themed “Ayo Olukotun and the Nigerian Nation,” will be delivered by globally acclaimed historian and professor at the University of Texas at Austin, Prof. Toyin Falola.

According to Prof. Falola, “Ayo Olukotun was the voice of our nation. He has repeatedly screamed warnings into the ears of Nigerian leaders and citizens through his pen to rouse the nation from its slumber. The symposium aims to reflect on Olukotun’s intellectual prowess and its impact on nation-building.”

Speaking about the upcoming event, the Vice-Chancellor of Lead City University, Prof. Kabiru Adeyemo, said the lecture was a way to immortalise the legacy of Prof. Olukotun, whose works shaped the discourse around governance, media, and national development in Nigeria.

“Prof. Ayo Olukotun was a towering intellectual whose writings and contributions consistently challenged leadership and society to do better. This memorial lecture is not only to honour his memory but also to inspire a new generation of scholars to follow in his footsteps,” Adeyemo stated.

The Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora, a former senator and seasoned public servant, commended Lead City University for hosting the event, describing Olukotun as “a scholar who combined academic brilliance with practical engagement in national discourse.”

The Registrar of Lead City University, Dr. Ayebola Ayeni, emphasised the university’s commitment to intellectual excellence, noting that “the choice of Prof. Toyin Falola as guest lecturer reflects the high intellectual standards the university upholds.”

The Chairperson of the Organising Committee, Dr. Igho Fayomi, encouraged both students and the general public to attend physically or join via Zoom, saying, “This lecture is a valuable opportunity to reflect on the life of a man who left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s intellectual and political space.”

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BREAKING: Ex-presidential Spokesperson Okupe Dies

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Doyin Okupe

A former presidential spokesperson Dr Doyin Okupe is dead . He was 71 years old.

Okupe’s death was confirmed by family sources.

He served as a senior adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan and later as the Director-General of Peter Obi’s 2023 Presidential Campaign.

In December 2022, he stepped down from Obi’s campaign after a money laundering conviction.

He later resigned from the Labour Party after the 2023 general elections.

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BREAKING: Senate Suspends Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Over Sexual Harassment Claim

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Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

The Senate  on Thursday suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghen for six months for violation of the Red Chambers rules following her allegation of sexual harassment.

Her suspension followed her dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio who she accused of sexual harassment.

“That the Senate do suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months for her total violation of the Senate Standing Rules (2023 as amended for bringing the presiding officer and the entire Nigerian Senate to public opprobrium,” Senate President Godswill Akpabio said on Thursday while reading out the recommendations of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct probing her claims.

Despite efforts by some senators to reduce the suspension period to three months, the Senate, in a majority vote, sustained the initial decision

However, the lawmakers ruled that the suspension could be lifted or reduced if she tenders a written apology.

“For the Senate to consider lifting this suspension or reducing the tenure of the suspension, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan shall submit a written apology to the Senate before her reconsideration by the Nigerian Senate,” Akpabio said at the Red Chambers on Thursday.

It, however, agreed that her aides’ salaries be paid.

“The aides of Natasha are not Natasha,” Senator Orji Kalu said while calling for an amendment to the sanctions. “It would be wrong for this Senate to deprive these aides of their allowances.”

Following her suspension, the Kogi Central lawmaker was escorted out of the chambers by the Sergeant-At-Arms, but before she left she declared that “this injustice would not be sustained”.

Her suspension was recommended by the committee which found her guilty of a violation of the Senate’s rules after its investigation.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker’s suspension is the culmination of weeks of claims and counter-claims between her, Akpabio, and the Senate.

This controversy began on February 20, 2025, after a seating arrangement dispute with Senator Akpabio. Thereafter, Senator Natasha accused the Senate president of sexual harassment and alleged abuse of office.

She submitted a petition on the floor of the upper lawmaking body on Wednesday. But the Senate Committee on Public Conduct, Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions headed by Neda Imaseun (Edo South) dismissed her claims. It declared her petition “dead on arrival,” owing to what it described as a breach of due process and legal limitations.

According to the committee, the senator personally signed the petition, instead of getting someone else’s endorsement, thus rendering it “invalid”.

Senator Natasha, hours after that, re-submitted her petition. However, on the same day, the Imasuen-led committee recommended her suspension for the violation of the Senate rule, a move ratified by the Red Chambers.

It recommended, in addition to her six-month suspension, the locking of the Kogi Central lawmaker’s office; barring her from the National Assembly during the suspension, and stopping her salary and that of her legislative aides.

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