Adetunji Oluwafemi
October 10 every year is the World Mental Health Day 2024. Several events to commemorate the day are outlined. The Avalanche Initiative (TAVI) led by Mr Samson Omotosho held its third edition of the organization’s conference TAVI 3.0 with the theme “Mental Health is A Universal Human Right: Drug Evidence Is Clear. Invest in Prevention, Raise Awareness” at Center 99 event halls, ring road Ibadan.
Speaking at the event, Samson Omotosho said, “The motive behind the conference was to enlighten the public on the negative effects of drug usage with strategic actions to save the young minds from abuse of such drugs as cannabis etc”. The conference is aimed at sensitizing its attendees so they do not fall victims of drug abuse which has become a big issue in the country.
The keynote speaker, Dr Olusola Saheed Ayoola, the CEO of Robotic and Artificial Intelligence of Nigeria (RAIN) speaking at the event noted that, “The advancement of artificial intelligence is not only a blessing, it can as well be a good catalyst for good mental health”. He further stated that, Drug Abuse cannot only be caused by peer group influence, it can also be caused by individual relationship with Artificial Intelligence algorithms such as video games, social media, sport betting, and other sorts of AI generated videos and Apps.
“Addictions to any of the aforementioned can lead to consumption of illegal drugs especially amongst youth. It is therefore important to be forewarned”” Dr Ayoola shared. Young people therefore needs to be careful in their dealings with AI, because AI has capacity to read and manipulate human minds
Providing solutions to the above, Dr Ayoola mentioned that measures such as being conversant with the environment, monitoring of social media usage, provisions of macro/micro mood detector algorithms supports should be provided by the responsible agencies and organizations.
While concluding his speech, Dr Ayoola added that the conference outcome should sensitize the attendees, especially the secondary school students in attendance, to exempt themselves from drug usage right from this level till when they finally moved to the higher institution.
In an interview with a health specialist in Oyo state ministry of health, Engr Adekunle Aremu, he stressed that mental health is a right not a privilege, and it is important everyone especially children are well grounded in understanding the negative effects of drug usage on their mental wellness, and this kind of conference served as an avenue to learn about this.
Aremu therefore commended the organizers of the conference for such an Initiative, especially by enabling the participation of secondary school students at their adolescent age.
There were side attractions during the event, participating schools engaged in inter-school debate. A number of eight schools participated in this.
The debate saw Taofeek Ahmed of the IbaduRahmon school as the 2nd-runner up, Michel Adedamola of I-flier College as the 1st-runner up and Sunshine Schools representative as the Winner of the debate. Awards and prizes were however presented to the winners. The conference had the presence of dignitaries, such as, the Commander to Oyo State NDLEA, Commander Olayinka Joel Fadile, the CEO of Sure Hope Counseling Clinic, Mrs Tosin Togun, Pastor Tunji Agboola, Dr Manuel Olusanya, to mention a few
