A mental health awareness advocate and chef, Aisha Dahiru Suleiman, has said that many women suffering from depression often fail to recognize the condition and instead attribute it to spiritual causes, a situation she described as a major challenge in society.

Suleiman made this known during an awareness campaign on mental health, legal rights, digital content creation, and women’s empowerment held in Kano. She explained that the gathering was organized to educate women and girls on critical social issues affecting their lives and to provide them with the knowledge and skills needed to improve their well-being.

According to the 25-year-old convener, the event is expected to attract about 150 participants. She said the initiative seeks to create awareness on mental health, legal rights, digital content creation, and empowerment, particularly among women who may be struggling silently with psychological challenges.

Suleiman said research she conducted revealed that depression and other mental health conditions are common among women from local communities, especially those experiencing marital abuse and other forms of mistreatment. She noted that abuse by individuals in positions of authority, including teachers and healthcare professionals, can also contribute to mental health challenges.

“Many people believe that only older adults suffer from depression, but that is not true. Mental health conditions affect people of different ages. Our awareness campaign is targeted at women from the age of 18 and above to help them understand these issues and seek appropriate support,” she said.

Speaking at the event, the mother of the convener, Barrister Bilkisu Ibrahim Suleiman, commended her daughter’s commitment to creating awareness despite facing personal health challenges.

She disclosed that Aisha had experienced several physical, mental, and psychological health challenges, which inspired her passion for advocating for mental health awareness. According to her, the campaign aims to address widespread misconceptions surrounding mental health and encourage women to speak openly about their experiences.

“The primary objective is to create awareness in our society. We live in a community where women are often not sufficiently empowered. Through this initiative, my daughter hopes to inspire women to overcome challenges and realize their full potential,” she said.

Also speaking, Dr. Saudat Abdussalam Waya, a psychiatrist and mental health specialist at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, described the topic as highly important but frequently neglected in society.

She noted that mental health remains widely misunderstood, leading to numerous misconceptions about conditions such as depression, substance abuse, and other mental disorders.

“Mental health encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It includes self-confidence, health management, and overall awareness of one’s mental state. Unfortunately, many misconceptions persist in society,” she said.

Dr. Waya explained that some people wrongly believe that depression only affects white people or men, while others assume that substance addiction cannot be treated. She stressed that mental disorders result from multiple factors, including biological, hormonal, environmental, and social influences.

She further challenged the belief that all mental health conditions are caused by spiritual forces, noting that many cases are medical conditions that require professional treatment.

“The misconception that mental illness is always caused by spirits is often incorrect. Mental disorders are diseases just like malaria and should not attract stigma. The earlier they are recognized, the better the chances of successful treatment,” she added.

The psychiatrist listed conditions such as schizophrenia among the mental disorders that require medical attention and emphasized the need for increased public education to reduce discrimination and encourage affected individuals to seek help.

The event highlighted the growing need for mental health awareness, legal education, digital literacy, and women’s empowerment, with participants urged to become advocates for positive change within their communities.

The Kano State Government has called for deeper collaboration with the European Union across critical sectors including urban infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, climate action, digital transformation and economic development as part of efforts to accelerate sustainable growth and improve the quality of life of residents.

The appeal was made by the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Hon. Murtala Sule Garo, who represented Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf during the presentation of the state’s Urban Development Strategy to European Union ambassadors and representatives of eight EU member countries on an official visit to Kano.

Speaking while welcoming the delegation, Garo said the engagement provided an important opportunity for Kano State to showcase its long-term vision for sustainable urban development and explore strategic partnerships capable of driving economic transformation and inclusive growth.

According to the Deputy Governor, Kano occupies a unique position as one of Africa’s oldest commercial centres and one of the continent’s fastest-growing urban economies, making it both a hub of opportunity and a city facing the pressures associated with rapid urbanisation.

Garo explained that growing demand for infrastructure, housing, transportation systems, sanitation services, environmental management and economic opportunities has created an urgent need for innovative, coordinated and future-oriented development strategies.

He disclosed that the state government has developed a comprehensive Urban Development Strategy designed to guide Kano’s growth in a sustainable, organised and people-centred manner while addressing emerging urban challenges.

According to Garo, the strategy underscores the administration’s commitment to modern urban planning, improved infrastructure delivery, climate resilience, economic competitiveness, digital innovation and the overall enhancement of living standards for residents across the state.

The Deputy Governor further stated that the strategy is aligned with Nigeria’s national development priorities, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and internationally recognised best practices in urban governance and sustainable city management.

Garo appealed to the European Union to support Kano State in several priority areas, including education and skills acquisition, youth employment, agricultural development and food security, healthcare delivery, climate adaptation initiatives, renewable energy projects, infrastructure development and digital connectivity.

He also requested technical assistance from the European Union in reviewing and validating the state’s draft Public Private Partnership (PPP) policy, noting that such support would help strengthen investment opportunities and improve the ease of doing business in Kano.

“We believe that stronger cooperation between the European Union and Kano State will contribute to shared prosperity, social stability and sustainable development while fostering stronger ties between our peoples,” Garo said while highlighting the potential benefits of enhanced collaboration.

The Deputy Governor assured the visiting delegation that the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf remains committed to creating an enabling environment for investors through transparency, accountability and responsible governance practices.

Responding on behalf of the European Union delegation, EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, described Kano as a major development hub in Northern Nigeria and an important partner in the European Union’s broader cooperation framework with Nigeria.

Mignot said the decision to select Kano for the delegation’s annual mission reflected the strategic importance the European Union attaches to the state as a key centre for development interventions and economic engagement in Northern Nigeria.

“The fact that we selected Kano for this year’s mission reflects the importance we attach to the state as a key development hub for Northern Nigeria and a strategic partner in our cooperation with Nigeria,” the ambassador stated.

According to Mignot, the delegation comprised ambassadors and representatives from Italy, Denmark, Spain, France, the Czech Republic, Belgium, Austria and Finland, and the visit formed part of the European Union’s annual field mission aimed at deepening engagement with key regions across Nigeria.

The ambassador noted that the European Union and Nigeria recently agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations during the eighth EU-Nigeria Ministerial Dialogue held in Abuja, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing cooperation in multiple sectors.

Mignot explained that the EU-Nigeria partnership is anchored on common values such as democracy, human rights, the rule of law, social inclusion and sustainable economic development, which continue to shape collaborative initiatives between both sides.

Expressing optimism about future engagements, the EU envoy said the visit demonstrated the depth of existing cooperation and highlighted the numerous opportunities available in Kano State for expanded partnership and investment.

“I believe this visit further demonstrates the depth of our cooperation and the many opportunities that Kano State offers for strengthening our partnership,” Mignot said.

Observers say the engagement is expected to open a new chapter in relations between Kano State and the European Union, with prospects for stronger collaboration in sustainable urban development, renewable energy, climate resilience, agriculture, healthcare, education, digital innovation and investment promotion.

The discussions also reinforce Kano State’s efforts to position itself as a leading destination for development partnerships and responsible investment while pursuing its vision of inclusive growth, modern infrastructure and long-term economic prosperity.This version follows a conventional newspaper structure with attribution throughout and expanded context suitable for publication.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Sadiya Farouq, a former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, on Monday prayed an Abuja High Court to set aside a bench warrant issued against her.

The court had granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) leave to arraign Ms Farouq on April 16, alongside a former permanent secretary in the ministry, Bashir Alkali and Sani Mohammed.

Again, Ms Farouq failed to appear as ordered by the court, but both the second and third accused persons were present.

The Prosecution Counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, told the court that the first defendant was absent.

Ms Farouq’s counsel, Oladipo Opeseyi, SAN, told the court that his client was not in court on medical grounds.

He prayed that the court hear his application.

Mr Atolagbe, however, objected to the request, arguing that the arraignment had not been done.

“According to the records of the court, the application cannot be heard until after arraignment,” he said.

He said that the first defendant’s counsel promised to produce his client.

“I object to the submission of the prosecution, saying the application cannot be heard until after arraignment,” Mr Opeseyi said.

He said the application was preliminary in a criminal matter and was ripe for hearing under the law.

“If the court cannot hear it, it is tantamount to abandonment. An arraignment is the prosecution presenting the accused person to the court,” he said.

At this juncture, the court asked the first defendant’s counsel when his client would be in court.

In response, Mr Opeseyi told the court that the 10-day holiday in Egypt made it impossible to communicate with his client.

Secondly, he said, “We are not the medical doctors to give the conditions of her health.”

He further stated that the application in question sought that the court set aside the warrant of arrest issued against the first defendant on April 16.

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie said, “The court needs to know how to act.

“The court is aware that you are not the medical doctor and neither is the court”.

The judge, however, allowed the first defendant‘s application to be heard.

The first defendant’s counsel, Mr Oluseyi, argued his application, urging the court to grant it and set aside the warrant of arrest issued on his client.

Opposing the application, Mr Atolagbe urged the court not to grant the application.

In addition, he urged the court to discountenance all the medical reports submitted by the first defendant, because they lacked credibility.

Justice Onwuegbuzie, after listening to the submissions, adjourned until June 10 to rule on the application.