A globally recognized women-led non-profit organization, the Life After Abuse Foundation (LAAF), has organised a conference for men, with the theme: “The Dear Men”,which focuses on the struggles and silence of men after facing some sort of emotional bullying/trauma.

The event was held on the 14th of June, 2025 in Lagos State.

According to the convener, Halima Layeni, Founder & Executive Director, the group aims to create a more inclusive and supportive global community where the well-being of men is prioritized and supported.

First speaker: Paul Oyewusi

He spoke on “Understanding Trauma in Men”.

He said, “though the society has made the men not to speak up about their daily trauma and emotional stress, but it is imminent for such men to start speaking up and stop being shy. He said, no man planned the trauma they pass through while growing up, which has made most men to live the way are currently living.

He however urged such men to man-up, speak up and change the narrative, instead of bottling up the anger, the hatred and the negative character which was born out of their life experience.

Second speaker: Samuel Joseph

He spoke on how Drug and substance abuse affects mental health.

He said “the use of hard drugs and other substances are a major reason why most men are subjected to suicide. He said such drugs affects their mental health and drain them to the state of being unwanted. He also urged the men to speak up whenever they are in such state.

Third Speaker: Shola Adigun (Founder of Father Figure Initiative)

He spoke on Healing the father wound, understanding the impact of an absent father.

He urged the men

Fourth Speaker: Mustalpha Adeyemi

He spoke on Emotional Vulnerability in Men.

He stressed that

Fifth Speaker: Barr. Dare Asobele, Founder and coordinator of Anti Suicide prevention squad.

He addressed the men on Toxic Masculinity and Healthy Masculinity. He said

Other photos:

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has warned parents to stay alert as drug-laced sweets, chocolates, and snacks disguised as treats are increasingly being found in children’s bags and pockets.

In a public advisory issued Sunday, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, shared photos on X showing seized drug-laced items designed to appeal to children and teenagers.

“Parents, please pay attention to those substances that look like sweet, chocolate, candy, or biscuit,” Babafemi urged, describing them as “destiny destroyers” hidden in colourful, attractive wraps.

The NDLEA revealed that some of the items were confiscated from two young men at Maiduguri airport, warning that the trend poses a growing threat to child safety and public health.

Lagos State Government on Saturday urged residents of the state especially those living in low-lying areas to be at alert because with the intensity of the rainfall already being experienced, many areas will encounter flash floods.

In a statement signed by the State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, warned that the forecast gathered from the State’s weather stations for today and the next few days has a geostationary imagery showing thunderstorms and widespread convective rainfall with dense cloud cover.

He added that what the geostationary imagery means in simple language is that many areas will experience very heavy rainfalls and flash floods which the people have been alerted about earlier in the year.

He said that all areas that are abutting the rivers and lagoons in Lagos are also at risk of experiencing flash floods which may come with high currents.

He cautioned all residents who may not have serious businesses to conduct outside their homes during the rains to tarry and wait till it subsides before they go out to be able to determine the intensity and how to prepare.

He advised parents to watch over their wards and school children many of whom are still on mid -terms holidays so that they do not go outside to play under the rain or swim in the flash floods.

Wahab also reiterated the earlier warning to motorists and pedestrians not to wade through floods as there is the tendency that vehicles may be submerged and people swept away with such heavy floods.

He explained to all residents Lagos being a coastal state, with the heavy rainfalls, the level of water in the lagoon is bound to rise and will result in a tidal lock which will prevent discharge from all collectors.

He warned residents not to engage in disposing their refuse into the drains as the rains fall, warning that there are consequences for such acts and the refuse will end up blocking the drains and causing flash floods.

The Commissioner said all the drains in the state are being cleaned and maintained on a year round basis to be able to contain run off from rainfalls, warning however that whenever more than usual rain falls, all concerted efforts are required to checkmate its effects.