Lagos, Monday October 14, 2024 – In keeping with its mission to raise awareness of mental health issues, 9mobile hosted an enlightening virtual X-space event on the subject: “Navigating Mental Health in a Digital World” on X-space in commemoration of World Mental Health Day. This year’s theme, “Mental Health at Work,” shines a spotlight on the importance of ensuring universal access to mental health care. To drive this critical conversation forward, our esteemed lineup of speakers included: Dr. Olalekan Makinde, renowned Consultant and expert in Community/Public Health, Dr. Alexandra Odiari, a distinguished specialist in mental health, Dr. Olayinka Jibunoh, a seasoned Psychologist and Mental Health Advocate and Amara Esomchi, a Certified Mental Health Therapist and Counselor.These health experts tackled the pressing issue of mental health stigma and explored the vital role social media can play in championing mental wellness. Commenting on the initiative, 9mobile’s PR Lead, Chineze Amanfo, stated: “We’re honored to support this vital conversation. Mental health awareness is increasingly essential in today’s digital landscape, where connectivity can sometimes mask feelings of isolation. Through platforms like X-space and beyond, 9mobile is dedicated to fostering meaningful connections and discussions.””One of the core pillars of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is health and we have made targeted interventions in the health sector. Looking ahead, we are committed to continuing this trajectory, leveraging every opportunity to drive meaningful impact through our direct efforts,” Amanfo stated.Dr. Olalekan Makinde stated, “Health is a priceless asset, and it is one we cannot afford to take lightly. He emphasized that people must put a premium on their mental health. In the fast-moving tech world, caring for your mind is as important as advancing your career or business. Mental well-being is the foundation for lasting success and fulfillment.”Therapist and Mental Health Advocate, Amara Esomchi, further emphasized, “Health is all-encompassing—it is not just about physical well-being but also mental and emotional balance”. She discussed the crucial role of social connections in maintaining this balance. “On one hand, strong social bonds can provide support, encouragement, and a sense of belonging. On the other hand, if not carefully managed, unhealthy relationships or social pressures can lead to stress and anxiety. It is essential to build meaningful connections that nurture your well-being, both personally and professionally.”Dr. Alexandra Odiari stressed the importance of treating mental health with the same attention as physical health. “By normalizing conversations around mental wellness and eliminating stigmatization, we create a society where seeking help is seen as a strength, not a weakness.”Dr. Olayinka Jinunoh noted that in today’s digital age, we must be mindful of how we engage with social media and learn to practice digital hygiene. “The importance of social media detox is a way to maintain mental clarity and well-being. Constant online engagement can lead to stress and taking intentional breaks allows the mind to reset, stay focused, and remain mentally alert. It is essential to find balance and practice self-care in our digital habits.The telecommunications company understands the importance of mental health in the fast-paced, technologically driven world of today, just as much as physical health. Hence the need to raise awareness on the value of mental health among its subscribers, employees, and the larger Nigerian community by facilitating the conversations on online platforms such as X-space.

Wema Bank, Nigeria’s most innovative bank and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, has been officially certified as a Great Place To Work for the year 2024-2025, marking the Bank’s second consecutive year receiving the Great Place To Work (GPTW) certification.
Great Place To Work is recognised worldwide as the global authority on workplace culture. With a comprehensive assessment of organisational culture, practices and employee feedback, the Great Place To Work certification serves as an unequivocal endorsement of an organisation’s positive work culture and commitment to employee well-being—as is the case with Wema Bank’s two-time Great Place To Work certification.
Wema Bank’s remarkable track record reflects an unwavering commitment to employee well-being and positive work culture. The Bank currently offers one of the longest standard leave days in the industry, provides employees with a Cost-Of-Living Adjustment (COLA) to cushion the impact of economic fluctuations, provides employees with a standard crèche for their infants and a fully equipped gym for fitness enthusiasts, and within the year, also increased salaries for Non Full-Time Equivalent (NFTE) employees. From work-life balance to prioritising mental health for employees, promoting physiological wellness and enhancing professional expertise towards career success, upward reviews of allowances and a host of other unique benefits Wema Bank continues to curate for its employees; the Bank is evidently deserving of its successive Great Place To Work certifications.
Moruf Oseni, the MD/CEO of Wema Bank, attributed the two-time certification to the Bank’s deep-rooted commitment to employee wellbeing. “At Wema Bank, we understand that our exceptional output as a Bank is a result of the dedicated input of our employees, the Wema Bank Knights, and we acknowledge the indispensable role they continue to play in our growth and success as a Bank. This is why we continue to pull all the stops in providing an enriching, productive, supportive and fulfilling work experience for our employees. This is a commitment that we will never compromise on”.
“We are honoured by the recognition accorded to us by Great Place To Work. This certification not only attests to our dedication to fostering a culture of excellence and empowering our employees with the best quality of work experience towards their personal and professional success, but also drives us to keep up the good work and exceed even more goals and expectations in enhancing employee experience. We take this as a challenge to go above and beyond in providing a fulfilling work experience for every Wema Bank employee and we trust that the strength of our internal framework will continue to reflect positively externally as we fulfil our lifelong goal of providing optimum value for every stakeholder of Wema Bank”, Oseni concluded.
Wema Bank earned its first Great Place To Work certificate in 2023, additionally bagging four awards at the Great Place To Work Awards 2023, which are: 2nd Best Place to Work in Nigeria (Large Corporate Organisation Category), Best in Promoting the Culture of Innovation by All, Best in Promoting Learning and Development Practices and The Victor Ligbago Award for Best Workplace for Millennials.

• calls her Nigeria’s shining light

The Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has congratulated Senator Oluremi Tinubu on her 64th birthday describing her as a compassionate Nigerian dedicated to impacting the citizens of the country.

In a message by the Speaker’s media office, Dr. Obasa noted the First Lady’s courage, commitment to a better society, support for the President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and her belief in an egalitarian society.

The Speaker further described her as a shining example of a Nigerian woman who commits her life and service to lifting the downtrodden.

“The First Lady’s love for Nigeria and her roles in national unity and development are worthy of emulation by every well-meaning citizen. She has continued to touch lives across the country, particularly lifting women and children out of poverty.

“With her philanthropic activities, it is noteworthy that Senator Tinubu has continued to etch her name in the history of Nigeria as a politician of repute, a champion of the downtrodden and an advocate for the youth, the aged and good governance,” Dr. Obasa said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Eromosele Ebhomele.

The Speaker added that right from the time she played roles as First Lady of Lagos, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has remained a crusader for a more vibrant democracy in the country.

According to Obasa, “our First Lady has been a great pillar of support for the President as she takes up roles that further unify the country.

“History will never forget how, with Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, she played her part in the fight that finally gave birth to the democracy currently practised in Nigeria.

“As a true mother, she ensured that those exiled during the fight against the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election result won by Chief MKO Abiola were adequately cared for.

“It is also noted that as First Lady of Lagos State, she made sure that the children of the poor were lifted through educational programmes including The Spelling Bee Competition, which, delightedly, has produced great minds and future leaders.

“As a Senator, she stood for anything that would add to the growth and progress of Lagos in many capacities making the State proud of her. We can never forget the impact of her New Era Foundation through which many Nigerians were given fresh reasons to live.

“On this occasion of her 64th birthday, I pray, on behalf of my family and colleagues at the Lagos State House of Assembly, that God continue to fill her with His grace, good health and divine wisdom to carry on with the good work for which we remain proud, amen.”