As part of efforts to draw attention to the often-overlooked mental health challenges confronting men, the Peace, Progress and Unity Global Initiative (PPUGI) on Saturday organised a Men’s Mental Health Awareness Walk 2026 in Lagos, urging men to prioritise their wellbeing and speak out about their struggles.
The awareness walk, themed “Providing Direction and Support — Breaking the Silence,” commenced from the Secretariat of Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) and ended at Allen Avenue Junction, Ikeja.
Founder and Director of PPUGI and Farida Charity Foundation, Ambassador (Dr.) Farida Ahmed, said the initiative was aimed at challenging the societal expectation that men must always appear strong, even when battling emotional and psychological difficulties.
Ahmed, who described herself as a West African ECOWAS Youth Ambassador and Global Peace Ambassador, said the organisation had been advocating men’s mental health awareness for seven years.
According to her, the campaign was necessary because many men silently carry the burden of providing for their families and meeting societal expectations.
“Why men? It is men because a woman who succeeds in whatever she does is a woman who has a man who supports her in whatever she does,” she said.
“It is my duty as a woman to support the mental wellbeing of every man around me and across the globe because you matter, you are important, and there is much more to you than you can ever imagine.”
Ahmed urged men to reject the stereotype that seeking help or showing emotions was 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.
She advised men to recognise their limitations, manage stress and avoid putting 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 said.
Veteran music director, vocal coach and television personality, Benneth Ogbeiwi, popularly known as Uncle Ben, commended PPUGI for recognising the sacrifices made by men.
“For the fact that PPUGI recognises us for who we are, it is enough to thank them and all the women who came to support the initiative,” he said.
Ogbeiwi urged men facing difficulties to speak to trusted people 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 seek solace through prayer.
Mrs Anuoluwapo Aluki also urged both men and women to pay greater attention to their mental health.
“Nobody should die in silence. Speaking out is the best option,” she said. “All men have been trying their best, but they should take time to rest.”
Alhaji Mohammed Sanni Aliu described the programme as an important grassroots initiative, noting that many people were facing increasing pressures because of the economic situation.
“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 collectively called for greater understanding, support and encouragement for men, stressing that mental wellbeing should be treated as an important part of healthy living.
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