The wife of the Katstina State Governor, Hajiya Zulaihat Dikko Radda, has urged people to break the silence and engage in open conversations to help prevent mental health challenges in society.
She emphasized the need to listen to others and provide support, noting that many individuals suffer in silence due to stigma, fear, or lack of access to mental health services.
Hajiya Zulaihat Dikko Radda made the call during the 2025 World Mental Health Day commemoration, held at the Bello Kofar Bai Conference Hall, Katsina State Secretariat Complex.
The event had the theme “Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies.”
She noted that good mental health is not a privilege but a right for everyone, regardless of age, gender, background, or economic status, adding that every person deserves access to proper mental health care, understanding, and support.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Musa Adamu Funtua, appreciated the organizers, stressing that mental health issues are no longer abstract but real challenges affecting people across all genders and age groups.
Also speaking, the State Coordinator of the National Programme, Dr. Bashir Muhammad, spoke extensively about the importance of this year’s World Mental Health Day. Dr. Bashir Usman Riwangodiya highlighted the vital role of the media in promoting mental health awareness, while the Senior Project Associate on Peace Building, Mr. Abraham, emphasized the importance of collaboration in mental health response.
In a goodwill message, former permanent secretary Alhaji Labir Musa Karfur and the representative of the Justice Barrister Ahmad Rufa’i Cumasi, expressed gratitude to the Governor’s wife for her continued support.
Highlights of the event included the presentation of awards to Hajiya Zulaihat Dikko Radda, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Musa Adamu Funtua, and other notable personalities for their contributions to mental health promotion in the state.
