Health
Life After Abuse Foundation Appoints New Advisory Council to Advance Men’s Mental Health Initiative
A leading non-profit organization dedicated to providing mental health support to men in need and advocating for the advancement of men’s mental health support, Life After Abuse Foundation (LAAF), proudly announces the appointment of highly skilled professionals to its Advisory Council.
The new council members bring a wealth of experience and expertise, underscoring LAAF’s commitment to enhancing mental health support, particularly for men.
Afoma Chiegboka, an award-winning experienced storyteller with over 13 years of experience in the design industry, excels in Product Management, Operations, Business Writing, Editing, and Public Speaking. Additionally, she holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree, further enriching her skill set as a communications specialist.
Afoma’s adept storytelling abilities and comprehensive understanding of communication strategies will play a pivotal role in shaping LAAF’s narrative and effectively reaching out to men in need.
Femi Boboye, Managing Partner at Pelse Consulting, brings expertise in organizational development and strategic planning. His insights will optimize LAAF’s operations and maximize impact, ensuring efficient resource allocation to support men’s mental health initiatives.
Ikeoluwa Olatoke, a legal practitioner with experience at Damod Law Practice, specializes in legal research, negotiation, and drafting contracts.
Ikeoluwa’s memberships in the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators UK (ACIarb) and the Africa Young Arbitrators enrich LAAF’s legal framework, ensuring robust legal structures to support men’s mental health advocacy and services.
Immaculate Odekina, a Legal Practitioner with over 12 years of post-call experience, specializes in commercial/corporate law, regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions, energy law, and alternative dispute resolution (ADR).
Her expertise will ensure LAAF’s compliance with legal regulations and facilitate the development of partnerships to expand mental health support for men.
Jeremiah Okpako, a business professional with over 15 years of experience in business development and sales across various industries, will strengthen LAAF’s outreach efforts with his strategic insights and extensive network. His connections will help amplify LAAF’s message and increase access to mental health resources for men.
Jide Ogunleye, an IT professional with over 16 years of experience, founded Ritemate Technologies, catering to clients like MTN, Stanbic, Mouka, Amber Energy, UBA plc, Fidelity Bank, Arik Air, and Nigerian Communication Commission.
Jide’s expertise in technology and innovation will be invaluable in advancing LAAF’s initiatives, particularly in developing digital platforms for mental health support and awareness.
Munirat Layeni, a Mental Health Professional with over 5 years of experience with the NHS and LAAF, served as a Partnership Strategist at LAAF for 3 years. With a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Hertfordshire, Munirat’s expertise in strategic partnership complements LAAF’s mission, fostering collaborations to expand mental health services for men.
Rotimi Aroge, the MD/CEO of Global Foremost Impressions Ltd, aligns his advocacy for drug-induced road accident prevention with the SDG. Rotimi’s commitment to road accident prevention earned him a finalist position in the University of Sussex qualifying 2024 Big Idea Contest (BIC). His dedication to public health and safety aligns with LAAF’s mission to provide comprehensive mental health support for men.
Temidayo Musa brings over 7 years of expertise in program management and communications, championing open data and citizen participation for enhanced community development.
His experience will contribute to LAAF’s efforts to develop and implement effective programs for men’s mental health support, ensuring that services are tailored to meet the needs of diverse communities.
Yinka Olonode, with over a decade of experience in finance and investment, runs a SEC licensed Investment management company and a retail credit firm called Penny Lender. Yinka is a leading voice in investment management and humanitarian advocacy.
His financial acumen will support LAAF’s sustainability and growth, ensuring continued access to mental health resources for men.
The appointment of these professionals underscores LAAF’s commitment to advancing men’s mental health support and fostering a society free from stigma. With their collective expertise and passion, the Advisory Council is poised to drive meaningful change and empower men on their journey to healing.
For media inquiries or further information, please contact info@laafng.org.
About Life After Abuse Foundation (LAAF): Life After Abuse Foundation (LAAF), a non-profit organization founded by Halima Layeni is dedicated to providing education, mentorship, and mental health support to boys and men globally. Through various initiatives such as policy engagement, school outreaches, media activism, and psychotherapy, we aim to advance health equity, gender equality, combat gender-based violence, and foster a community of healing and support.
You can Connect with them on:
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/lifeafterabusefoundation
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LifeAfterAbuseF
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeafterabusefoundation/
Health
Six million donkeys slaughtered yearly for Chinese medicine – Report
It is driven by an increase in China’s production of ejiao – a product marketed as a health supplement that uses collagen from donkey skins – which is a $6.8-billion industry, according to China-based research firm Qianzhan.
(AFP): Almost six million donkeys are slaughtered annually for Chinese medicine, with severe knock-on effects for African villagers who rely on the animals, a UK-based charity said on Thursday.
It is driven by an increase in China’s production of ejiao – a product marketed as a health supplement that uses collagen from donkey skins – which is a $6.8-billion industry, according to China-based research firm Qianzhan.
China, whose donkey population has plummeted from 11 million in 1992 to 1.5 million in 2023, has turned to Africa to meet its demand.
With donkey populations falling, the African Union issued a 15-year moratorium on donkey slaughter last year.
UK-based charity The Donkey Sanctuary said, “the ejiao industry drives a massive global trade in donkey skins, much of it illegal”.
It said around 5.9 million donkeys were killed worldwide last year.
The ejiao trade is expected to require at least 6.8 million donkey skins by 2027. The rising value of donkeys means they have increasingly become targets for criminals.
The Lagos State enforcement squad of the MOE&WR led by KAI operatives on Wednesday burst an illegal abbatoir which was being operated at a private residence at Succo road directly opposite the RRS Barracks and LASTMA Yard in Oko Oba, Agege, arresting some of those found slaughtering animals for public consumption in the location.
The operation followed a tip-off from a whistle blower.
“The enforcement team said, the contaminated meat from cows and goats have been confiscated to prevent it from entering the food chain”.
“This action of the operators of the abbatoir is in defiance of the closure of the Oko Oba Abbatoir and poses great health dangers and environmental risks to the law abiding residents of the area”.
“We need to make it clear that such disregard for public health and sanitation will not be tolerated in Lagos State” .
“Every Government’s primary responsibility is the protection of lives and properties and we will not shirk that responsbbility.”
“We will continue to ensure that only safe and approved public facilities are allowed to operate within our communities.”the statement reads.
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 (Founder of Circle Men)
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 to fix the issues fathers face in life. Issues which includes backlash from their father, mother or step-father and step-mother which has gravely affected their life as they advance in life.
He also joined other speakers to urge such men to man-up, speak up and change the narrative, instead of bottling up anger, hatred and negative character.
Fourth Speaker: Mustalpha Adeyemi (President KB Club)
He spoke on Emotional Vulnerability in Men.
He stressed that men should open up, engage with someone, explaining what they are going through. According to him, the men are seen as super humans who hardly show their feelings, which makes the society feel they are less vulnerable.
Mustalpha also said, at least 40 percent of men face series of maltreatments but are shy to speak up due to condemnations or being seen as a weakling.
Fifth Speaker: Barr. Dare Asobele, Founder and coordinator of Anti Suicide prevention squad.
He addressed the men on Toxic Masculinity and Healthy Masculinity.
He encouraged the men not to allow trauma take the best part of them. In his words, he said: “do not bottle your emotions”, Find a safe space to take, get help, do regular exercise, find an enabling environment, seek a therapist, do not allow trauma to define who you are, let go of the past, forgive yourself, forgive your parent or whomever that have caused you trauma, and see how you can become a better man in the society.
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