By Julius Peter, Abuja
The President and Founder of the Prince 7 Youth Development Initiative, HRH Prince Godswil Edwards, has pledged to intensify his contributions to humanity and youth development following the conferment of an honour on him at the 2026 Men’s Mental Health Conference and Award Ceremony organised by the Peace Progress and Unity Global Initiative (PPUGI).
The event, organised in conjunction with PFA Consulting Firms, was held under the theme, “Providing Direction and Support 5.0: Breaking the Silence – Mental Health Support for Our Security Personnel.”
Speaking after receiving the honour, Prince Edwards expressed appreciation to the organisers for recognising his contributions, describing the award as both an honour and a responsibility to do more for humanity.
He said the recognition had further strengthened his determination to continue supporting initiatives that promote human development, youth empowerment, peace and the wellbeing of communities.
According to him, the honour was a reminder that individuals who dedicate themselves to serving humanity must continue to raise the bar and make greater contributions to society.
“I really appreciate the organisers for this honour. This is a big challenge for me to do more. With this honour given to me, I will continue doing my best for humanity,” he said.
Prince Edwards noted that recognition of this nature should not be viewed merely as an achievement but as an encouragement to remain committed to service and to seek additional opportunities to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
He commended PPUGI and PFA Consulting Firms for organising the conference, particularly for drawing attention to men’s mental health and the psychological wellbeing of security personnel.
He also called on men to take their mental and physical wellbeing seriously, urging them not to ignore challenges that could affect their health, productivity and relationships.
The youth development advocate stressed the importance of creating an environment where men can openly discuss personal and emotional challenges and seek appropriate support when necessary.
He noted that security personnel, in particular, are exposed to demanding circumstances in the course of their duties and therefore require adequate welfare, counselling and mental health support.
The conference provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss the need to break the silence surrounding mental health challenges among men and promote greater awareness of available support systems.
Participants also highlighted the importance of strengthening interventions that would enable security personnel and other men facing psychological pressures to access professional assistance without stigma.
The organisers said the conference was designed to provide direction and support to men while drawing particular attention to the mental health needs of security personnel who operate in challenging and sometimes traumatic environments.
Prince Edwards further urged men to prioritise their wellbeing and remain conscious of the value of life, stressing that taking care of oneself is essential to making meaningful contributions to families, communities and the nation.
He said, “Life is for the living,” urging men to take the necessary steps to protect their wellbeing and seek help whenever they encounter challenges that require professional or social support.
The event attracted prominent personalities from different sectors, including the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd.), politicians, traditional rulers and other stakeholders.
The gathering also featured an award ceremony recognising individuals who have contributed to youth development, peacebuilding, humanitarian service, leadership and other areas of societal development.
For Prince Edwards, the recognition has added another responsibility to his existing commitment to youth development and humanitarian service, as he pledged to continue working towards initiatives that positively impact individuals and communities.
He thanked the organisers, participants and other stakeholders for the recognition and support, promising that the honour would serve as additional motivation for him to contribute more to humanity.
