By Julius Peter, Abuja
The Founder and Global President of Peace Progress and Unity Global Initiative (PPUGI), Eminence Ambassador Dr. Privé Farida Ahmed, has called on men, particularly security personnel, to speak openly about their mental-health challenges and seek support whenever necessary.
Ahmed made the call while speaking at the PPUGI 2026 Men’s Mental Health Conference and Award Ceremony, organised by PPUGI in conjunction with PFA Consulting Firm, with the theme: “Providing Direction and Support 5.0: Breaking the Silence – Mental Health Support for Our Security Personnel.”
She said her commitment to charity work and mental-health advocacy was driven by her discovery of purpose and her relationship with God, noting that she had been involved in mental-health advocacy for 14 years, including seven years specifically dedicated to men’s mental health.
According to her, the organisation’s advocacy has recorded significant impact by encouraging men to speak openly about their emotional and psychological struggles rather than suffering in silence.
She said the initiative was also designed to help men understand their needs, challenge the culture of silence surrounding male mental health and recognise that taking care of their psychological and emotional wellbeing was an essential part of living a healthy and productive life.
Ahmed stressed that men should not allow their present difficulties, disappointments or unmet aspirations to make them lose hope.
“Being alive is what matters most,” she said, urging men to remain patient, careful and determined despite the challenges confronting them.
She noted that men still had opportunities, projects and meaningful contributions ahead of them, adding that temporary difficulties should not determine the course of their lives.
The PPUGI president also highlighted the humanitarian dimension of her organisations’ activities, explaining that they regularly undertake humanitarian interventions and advocacy programmes aimed at promoting mental-health awareness and encouraging individuals and communities to support one another.
She disclosed that a major mental-health awareness walk was held in Lagos State on September 15, while another major conference and the organisation’s traditional peace walk are scheduled for February 2027.
She attributed the organisation’s growth and future plans to her faith, purpose and commitment to serving humanity.
A major highlight of her presentation was the unveiling of the proposed PFA Trauma-Informed Wellness City, which she described as an ambitious, world-class trauma-informed centre designed to provide comprehensive support to Nigerians dealing with trauma and other mental-health challenges.
According to her, the proposed wellness city would not only provide support and improve the quality of lives of beneficiaries but would also create employment opportunities and contribute to the development of a stronger support system for people facing psychological and emotional difficulties.
Ahmed said the initiative was part of a broader vision to move mental-health advocacy beyond awareness campaigns to practical support systems capable of reaching people in need.
She particularly emphasised the importance of supporting security personnel, who often operate under difficult and stressful conditions while protecting lives and property.
The conference theme, she said, was therefore designed to draw attention to the psychological wellbeing of those serving in Nigeria’s security architecture and to encourage greater understanding, support and intervention.
She called on men to prioritise their wellbeing, stressing that seeking help should not be regarded as a sign of weakness.
She urged them to take care of themselves and remain hopeful, reiterating that “life is for the living.”
The event attracted dignitaries and stakeholders from various sectors, including former Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, politicians, traditional rulers and other stakeholders who joined discussions around mental-health awareness, peace, unity and humanitarian development.
The gathering also provided an opportunity to recognise individuals whose contributions to humanity, peace-building, leadership and community development were considered significant.
Ahmed, who is also the Founder of Farida’s Charity Foundation and Chief Executive Officer of PFA Consulting Firm, has continued to use her platforms to promote humanitarian causes, mental-health awareness and initiatives aimed at strengthening peaceful coexistence.
The organisers said the conference was part of their continuing efforts to encourage a culture in which men, especially those in demanding professions such as the security services, can discuss emotional and psychological challenges without fear of stigma.
The initiative further underscored the need for families, communities, organisations and government institutions to create supportive environments where people experiencing mental-health difficulties can seek appropriate assistance.
Ahmed’s message ultimately centred on hope, resilience and the value of life, with a call for men to recognise that their current circumstances do not define their future and that support is available when they are willing to speak up.
