The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), in partnership with the African Trauma Care Alliance (ATCA), has organised a two-day trauma-informed care workshop for principal officers in Lagos as part of activities marking the 2026 International Mental Health Awareness Month.

The workshop, held at the LASTMA Training Institute in Oshodi, focused on emotional resilience, psychological wellness and trauma-sensitive leadership for officers working in high-pressure environments.

Organisers said the programme was designed to help participants better understand traumatic stress, emotional intelligence and the importance of building compassionate institutions and communities.

Why the workshop matters

Frontline traffic officers in Lagos often deal with fatal road crashes, confrontations with motorists, emergency rescue operations and other distressing situations that can take a psychological toll.

Speaking at the event, LASTMA General Manager Olalekan Bakare-Oki said mental health support had become increasingly important for public officers operating under stressful conditions.

“Personnel of the Agency are frequently confronted with psychologically challenging experiences, including fatal road traffic accidents, confrontations with aggressive motorists, environmental hazards and emergency rescue operations,” he said.

Mr Bakare-Oki described the workshop as an investment in human capital development aimed at improving emotional resilience, coping strategies and empathetic leadership among officers.

He also praised mental health advocates and trauma experts for supporting what he described as a transformative initiative for institutional and community wellbeing.

Trauma affecting millions globally, expert says

Delivering a lecture during the workshop, trauma specialist and ATCA founder Professor Akindotun Meiro said mental health conditions remain a growing global concern.

According to her, nearly one in three people worldwide may experience a mental health condition during their lifetime, with trauma being a major contributing factor.

Professor Meiro said economic hardship, insecurity, domestic violence, kidnapping, armed conflict and political instability continue to expose millions of people to psychological distress.

“Traumatic experiences occasioned by economic hardship, political instability, communal crises, gender-based violence, kidnapping, domestic abuse, armed conflicts and other societal disruptions continue to inflict profound psychological and emotional wounds on millions of people across the world,” she said.

The workshop also examined the long-term effects of untreated trauma, including cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders and emotional dysfunction.

Facilitators stressed the connection between emotional wellbeing and physical health, calling for more accessible and inclusive mental healthcare services in workplaces and communities.

Push for trauma-informed communities

Professor Meiro said the annual Traumatic Stress Awareness Walk, led by the Jars Education Group in collaboration with ATCA and international partners, had grown into a global advocacy movement supporting trauma survivors across Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Participants at the workshop described the initiative as a timely intervention, noting that trauma can be treated when societies intentionally create safe and supportive environments.

The event concluded with renewed calls for governments, organisations, healthcare professionals and educators to intensify mental health awareness campaigns and reduce stigma surrounding trauma and emotional recovery.

Industry and Public Perspective

Mental health advocates in Nigeria have increasingly called for stronger psychological support systems for emergency responders, healthcare workers and security personnel, many of whom regularly face traumatic situations without structured counselling services.

Public health experts say trauma-informed workplaces can improve productivity, reduce burnout and strengthen employee wellbeing, especially in urban centres such as Lagos where public service roles are often physically and emotionally demanding.

What’s Next?

Stakeholders at the workshop urged public institutions and private organisations to integrate mental health awareness programmes into workplace policies.

They also called for expanded access to counselling, emotional support systems and community-based mental health interventions across Nigeria.

The Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI) has called on the Nigerian government to support mandatory alcohol labelling during a key international food standards meeting which took place in Ottawa on 13 May 2026.

The advocacy group said Nigeria should endorse stricter labelling rules for alcoholic drinks at the 49th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Labelling, a meeting organised under the global food standards body known as Codex Alimentarius.

Public health campaigners say the move could help consumers better understand the health risks linked to alcohol consumption, including cancer.

Why the debate over alcohol labels matters

Codex Alimentarius is jointly managed by the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization and sets internationally recognised food standards.

Health advocates have increasingly pushed for alcohol-specific warning labels following scientific findings highlighted by WHO in January 2023 that there is “no safe level” of alcohol consumption.

Alcohol has been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer since 1988. According to researchers, alcohol consumption is linked to at least seven types of cancer.

Despite those risks, campaigners argue that alcoholic drinks remain among the least-labelled consumer products globally.

RDI, alongside member organisations of Movendi International, said governments have a responsibility to ensure consumers receive clear and evidence-based health information.

RDI asks Nigeria to take a “firm stand”

In a statement released in Lagos, RDI Executive Director Philip Jakpor urged Nigerian authorities to support stronger labelling standards.

“The CODEX discussions present an opportunity for the Nigerian government to take a firm stand in support of labels on every bottle. Consumers have the right to information about products they buy and use to enable them make informed choices. The absence of clear and legible labels on alcohol bottles is no longer tenable.”

Jakpor also criticised what he described as the growing influence of the alcohol industry on policymaking.

“Nigeria must no longer be a playground of the alcohol industry but instead, it must support lifesaving decisions at global levels that would also translate to national legislations that prioritise health over profits.”

What Nigeria is being asked to support

According to RDI, participating countries are being encouraged to support several proposals during the Codex discussions.

These include launching new work on alcohol labelling standards, establishing an Electronic Working Group chaired by Tanzania, and recognising cancer warning labels as part of future health information requirements.

Campaigners also want governments to oppose attempts to delay discussions or replace physical warning labels with QR codes or digital-only information.

Industry and public health perspectives

Public health experts say warning labels on alcohol could improve awareness, especially among younger consumers and vulnerable groups.

Some countries, including Ireland and South Korea, have already moved toward stronger alcohol health warnings, reflecting growing international concern over alcohol-related diseases.

However, alcohol industry groups globally have often argued that excessive labelling regulations could hurt businesses, create trade barriers, and place additional costs on manufacturers.

Analysts say debates at the Codex meeting could shape future national regulations in countries such as Nigeria, where alcohol consumption remains widespread among young adults and urban populations.

What happens next?

Discussions at the Codex Committee meeting in Canada are expected to influence future global standards on alcohol labelling and public health communication.

If adopted, recommendations from the meeting could eventually guide national legislation and packaging requirements across multiple countries, including Nigeria.

For advocacy groups like RDI and Movendi International, the outcome may determine whether alcohol products begin carrying clearer health warnings similar to those found on tobacco products.

A Lagos-based health nonprofit organisation, the Sickle Cell Advocacy and Management Initiative (SAMI), has launched a ₦10 million crowdfunding campaign to support people living with sickle cell disorder in Nigeria.

The initiative, tagged #1kforSickle, was announced during the organisation’s 2026 Volunteer Retreat and Awards Ceremony held in Lagos on 25 April.

Organisers say the campaign encourages Nigerians to donate a minimum of ₦1,000 to expand access to care, advocacy, and support services for people affected by the genetic blood disorder.

Why it matters

Sickle cell disorder remains one of Nigeria’s most pressing public health challenges, with the country accounting for a significant proportion of global cases.

Access to treatment, awareness, and long-term care remains limited for many families, making nonprofit interventions critical.

SAMI says the new fundraising drive will help bridge these gaps while strengthening its programmes across healthcare, education, and community support.

Honouring volunteers and impact

The event also recognised volunteers and partners whose contributions have supported the organisation’s work since its founding in 2008 by nonprofit leader Toyin Adesola.

A total of 11 award categories were presented, spanning healthcare professionals, educators, entrepreneurs, media executives, and young professionals.

SAMI’s Communication Officer, Abayomi Oyelami, said the retreat aimed to celebrate those behind the scenes.

“[It is] to honour the passion, sacrifice, and invisible work shaping lives in the sickle cell community, as well as to be a space for growth, learning, and renewed purpose.”

Expert voices: Leadership, mental health and service

Speakers at the event emphasised personal growth, mental resilience, and leadership as key drivers of sustainable volunteer impact.

Leadership coach Debola Deji-Kurunmi urged participants to prioritise self-leadership.

“It is when you lead yourself well that you can serve others better and advance the mission.”

She also noted a shift in the organisation’s structure:

“SAMI is moving forward from being a founder-led NGO to a legacy-led institution.”

Clinical psychologist Sheriff Ajibola Moshobalaje highlighted the importance of mental wellbeing in volunteer work.

“Emotional, psychological, and social well-being… focus on how we feel, how we function, and the knowledge that we are separate from our problems.”

He warned of the potential toll of social media on mental health, urging self-awareness and introspection.

Building trust and teamwork

Entrepreneur Titi Adewusi stressed the importance of collaboration in nonprofit success, encouraging volunteers to embody the organisation’s mission beyond physical participation.

Her session also served as the official launch of the #1kforSickle campaign.

Meanwhile, leadership expert Toyin Banjo outlined principles for managing volunteer systems, emphasising motivation, belonging, and empowerment.

How Nigerians can contribute

SAMI says donations to the campaign can be made via bank transfer and online platforms listed in its promotional materials.

Organisers hope widespread participation will enable the NGO to scale its interventions and reach more patients nationwide

What’s next

The organisation says it plans to expand its outreach, deepen volunteer engagement, and strengthen partnerships across the healthcare and nonprofit sectors.

The retreat concluded with a call for volunteers to match compassion with skill and excellence in delivering impact.