PPUGI Urges Men to Break Silence, Prioritise Mental Health

 

The Peace, Progress and Unity Global Initiative (PPUGI) has called on men to prioritise their mental health, speak openly about their struggles and seek support whenever necessary.

The call was made on Saturday during the 2026 Men’s Mental Health Awareness Walk organised by PPUGI in Lagos, with the theme, “Providing Direction and Support — Breaking the Silence.”

The awareness walk commenced at the Secretariat of Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) and ended at Allen Avenue Junction, Ikeja.

Speaking during the event, the Founder and Director of PPUGI and Farida Charity Foundation, Ambassador (Dr.) Farida Ahmed, said the initiative was designed to challenge the societal expectation that men must always appear strong, regardless of the emotional and psychological challenges they may be facing.

Ahmed, who described herself as a West African ECOWAS Youth Ambassador and Global Peace Ambassador, said PPUGI had been promoting men’s mental health awareness for the past seven years.

She noted that many men silently bear the pressure of providing for their families and meeting societal expectations, stressing that such burdens could affect their emotional wellbeing.

According to her, men should not regard seeking help or expressing their emotions as a sign of weakness.

“It is okay to feel. It is okay to cry. We need to beat the stereotype of saying that you should ‘man up’. This is not the time to ‘man up’ anymore. You are first human before being a man,” she said.

Ahmed also encouraged men to recognise their limitations, manage stress and avoid placing themselves under unnecessary pressure.

“You are not less of a man because you cannot meet up with demands. Take it one step at a time. If you need to pause, you have to pause,” she added.

Veteran music director, vocal coach and television personality, Benneth Ogbeiwi, popularly known as Uncle Ben, commended PPUGI for drawing attention to the sacrifices and challenges faced by men.

Ogbeiwi urged men experiencing difficulties to speak with people they trust rather than suffer in silence.

“I want the men to speak out. You need to speak to someone. It’s okay to shy away, but you need to trust someone,” he said, adding that those unable to confide in others could also seek solace through prayer.

Similarly, Mrs Anuoluwapo Aluki called on both men and women to pay greater attention to their mental wellbeing.

“Nobody should die in silence. Speaking out is the best option,” she said, urging men to take time to rest after years of striving to meet personal, family and societal responsibilities.

Alhaji Mohammed Sanni Aliu described the initiative as an important grassroots effort, particularly at a time when many Nigerians are facing increasing economic pressures.

“People are going through a lot, and until you voice out, there is no way somebody would know what you are going through,” he said.

The speakers stressed the need for greater understanding, encouragement and support for men, noting that mental wellbeing is an essential component of healthy living and should receive greater attention in society.