PASTOR AYO ORITSEJAFOR
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Tuesday, called for a one-day national prayer tagged 'Recover Nigeria'.This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen by the general secretary of the association, Reverend Musa Asake, in Lagos.
According to the statement, the decision to hold the national prayer became necessary, following growing concern about the security situation in the country.
It said the prayer session, which would be led by the CAN president, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, would be held at the National Christian Centre, Abuja.
The statement said the prayers would be held between 11.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m. on Friday, May 16, at designated centres, across the country.
"All state chapters of the association have been directed to coordinate the prayers at designated locations in all states of the federation.
It urged all state chapters of CAN to mobilise Christians from all church groups in their states for the prayers.
Foundation expresses readiness to rehabilitate girls o...As Clinical psychologist suggests counselling
By Yinka Oladoyinbo -Akure
A non- governmental organisation, Lightup Foundation, has expressed readiness to rehabilitate the secondary school girls abducted by the Boko Haram from the Federal Government Girls College, Chibok, Borno State.
According to the director of the foundation, Olasubomi Aina, the organisation had commenced preparations toward receiving the girls and rehabilitating them upon release by the terrorists.
"The recent abduction of over 200 Chibok girls has left us, other organisations and communities unbearably sad. Lightup Foundation strongly condemns the wicked act perpetrated by the Boko Haram group," she said.
Meanwhile, Mr Ajiboye Adedotun, a Clinical Psychologist from the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado Ekiti, on Monday, advised the Federal Government to subject the abducted girls to guidance and counselling after their release.
Adedotun told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the Chibok girls could have Post Trauma Stress Disorder (PTSD) after their release, if not properly managed.
According to him, apart from medical checkup, the girls might not be traumatised immediately, but after six months or about a year.
PTSD is a mental health condition that is usually triggered by an experience or witness terrifying event.
Adedotun said the symptoms might include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.
"Even if the girls were not molested, the fact that they were taken away to unknown destination means they could be traumatised. This is why I am advising that the girls, whenever they are released, be monitored and guided by experts.
"As teenagers, they will be under terror and fear, anxiety and frustration, as well as not being able to think straight due to the trauma. Most teenagers do not have the coping skills like adults, as they are still at the dependant stage," he said.
Adedotun said that due to the experiences encountered when they were away from home, it could make them to be insecure among their peers.
He said the girls might not be mentally affected, but they might not be free to interact with the opposite sex.
"If the girls were raped, they may not trust any man again, as they will be living in fear. If finally released, they should be managed by medical personnel and psychologists, in order not to live in fear," Adedotun said.
UNILORIN WOMEN STAGE PROTEST
Female workers and students of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), on Tuesday, staged a peaceful protest against the abduction of more than 200 students of Government Girls' College, Chibok, Borno.
The protesters, including academic and non-academic staff, demanded immediate release of the students, as they marched round the university.
They carried placards with inscriptions such as: "Where are our daughters? Bring back our sisters."
Leader of the protesters, Dr Foluke Aliu-Ibrahim, of the Department of English Language, urged the Federal Government "to urgently do something, because the lives of the innocent girls are at stake."
Aliu-Ibrahim said Nigeria's leadership should intensify effort to ensure the release of the students.
Another member of the group, Dr Saudat Abdulbaqi, of the Department of Mass Communication, said the protest a collective effort to push for release of the girls.
"We are worried about the torture and inhuman treatment they might be subjected to," Abdulbaqi said.
Source: Nigerian Tribune
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