Aureva Club, in collaboration with the Edo State government, successfully held its first-ever wellness summit in Nigeria at the weekend, at the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy, Edo State.
Focused on mental health, the summit was organized with the theme “Empowering Civil Servants for Optimal Productivity During Economic Challenges”.
The event highlighted how economic pressures and workplace stress can significantly impact the productivity, well-being, and overall lifestyle of civil servants, making mental health awareness and proactive management crucial in these times.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Ehanire Theodore emphasized the critical need for mental health awareness within the civil service, noting that the well-being of public servants is key to ensuring optimal productivity and effective governance.
The summit brought together professionals from diverse fields, all contributing unique perspectives on how civil servants can maintain mental health and thrive in challenging economic conditions.
Dr. Blessing Amune, a keynote speaker, focused on the importance of managing stress and anxiety in a demanding work environment. She underscored the need for a healthy balance between personal and professional life, stressing that civil servants must prioritize their mental well-being to maintain productivity.
“You must balance your personal and work life. Don’t let anyone pressure you. If you allow yourself to be pressured, that’s when the stress builds. Appreciate yourself and your journey,” she advised.
Dr. Ehigiator Adayonfo, Head of the Mental Health Department, University of Benin, spoke about the alarming rates of substance abuse among civil servants and its detrimental impact on both health and productivity.
“Research shows that 15% of civil servants are involved in substance abuse. Addiction often follows, where work becomes secondary to the compulsive need for substances. Initially, people may use substances to cope with anxiety, but this can quickly spiral into depression and, eventually, suicide,” Dr. Adayonfo warned.
Dr. Juliet Wealth-Sakal (née Okpu), Global Secretary General and Administrator of Aureva Club presented the vision and mission of the organization. She shared how Aureva Club is dedicated to harnessing the resources and influence of elite leaders to drive impactful initiatives that address family mental health challenges, fostering well-being and positive change in communities worldwide through innovation.
She also highlighted the organization’s achievements across countries like Cameroon, Zimbabwe, Ghana, and Burkina Faso, emphasizing the club’s commitment to empowering individuals through holistic well-being initiatives aimed at creating healthier, more resilient communities.
Dr. Juliet concluded by calling on participants to sign up to join Aureva Club and to spread the word about the club’s upcoming program at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub on the 2nd of November 2024. She encouraged them to invite their colleagues and friends to participate in this life-changing initiative.
The summit also addressed financial well-being, as Mr. Ibukun Akande, Chairman of the Edo branch of the Chartered Institute of Bankers in Nigeria, discussed financial stress, literacy, and practical solutions for civil servants. He highlighted that financial stability plays a crucial role in mental health, urging civil servants to adopt better financial planning to alleviate stress.
The event concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, where participants were able to engage directly with the experts, gaining valuable insights into managing mental health and improving productivity in the face of economic challenges.
The success of the wellness summit demonstrated Aureva Club’s continued commitment to promoting holistic well-being and mental health. By focusing on the productivity and mental well-being of civil servants, Aureva Club reinforced the idea that addressing mental health challenges is a collective responsibility—one that has the power to enhance public service delivery and improve the quality of life for civil servants.
