From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Federal Government, has announced its decision to build a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Centre for the Nigerian Armed Forces.
First Lady and wife of the President Hajia Aisha Buhari, made this known at the ground breaking and fund raising ceremony for the center located at Giri, in Abuja.
The center is the pet project of the president of the Defence and Police Officers Wives Association(DEPOWA), Mrs Victoria Irabor.
When fully established, the center would help evaluate, counsel, and provide adequate support to personnel and, by extension, their families before reintegration from conflict zones.
it would also cater for the treatment, management, and rehabilitation of PTSD suffered by families in the Armed Forces enhance national, regional, global stability, as well as boost the capability of the military capability to deal with all forms of insecurity.
In her address at the occasion Mrs Buhari, while noting the importance of a PTSD center, said most military personnel suffer trauma as a result of the kind of operations they are deployed for. The First Lady who commended DEPOWA, for the initiative, however said it is the responsibility of the government who sends the military personnel on such missions to build the center and not that of DEPOWA.
She promised that the project would be completed before May, 2023, when the administration of her husband comes to an end.
Mrs Buhari, who said she is a victim of PTSD, narrated her ordeal shortly after her marriage to president Muhammadu Buhari, that forced her to become a psychotherapist.
The first lady recalled how her husband was traumatized after he fought the Nigerian civil war, overthrown from power and sent to prison and came out without undergoing proper rehabilitation.
According to her, most soldiers have suffered and still suffering PTSD, without getting proper rehabilitation before reintegrating them with their families.
She said the was important to her having being a victim and assured that everything would be done to ensure the completion before May, 29, 2023.
She commended members of the armed forces for their sacrifices for the peace and stability of the nation and urged them to keep doing their work of protecting the territorial integrity of the nation.
Earlier in her address, DEPOWA president, Mrs Victoria Anwuli, said the project was borne out of deep love and appreciation for “our husbands, the Nigerian Armed Forces and the protectors and defenders of the peace in our society.
She said “It is a thank you project for the contributions and huge sacrifices of our Personnel to the hard-earned peace and security we enjoy today. It is not just a brick and mortar project but a symbol of hope for present and future generations of our people and not just the military.
According to her, “When completed, the centre will help evaluate, counsel, and provide adequate support to personnel and, by extension, their families before reintegration from conflict zones. It will also help to enhance national, regional, and global stability, as well as help, boost military capability to continue to deal with all forms of insecurity. I believe that establishing this facility will be a step in ensuring the stability of military families post-conflict engagements and encouragement to officers and soldiers that help is available should they need it after assignments.
“The facility will also serve as a repository for future research on mental health challenges in the Armed Forces of Nigeria”.