By Suoyo Ekubo
The EveAfrique Redball Committee on Sunday June 4th 2023, hosted the 13th edition of the her annual Redball event themed ” An Evening of Songs and Awards with focus on Mental Health Awareness, Management; Facts and Myths”.
The event which held at the Port Harcourt Club since 1928, old GRA is inline with EveAfrique social responsibility to create awareness and management of the salient issue of Mental Health, Facts and Myths.
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A mental health illness is a physical illness of the brain that causes disturbances in thinking, behavior, energy or emotion that make it difficult to cope with the ordinary demands of life. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. However, An increasing awareness of mental health helps society work toward eliminating its stigmas.
In her welcome address the convener of the EveAfrique Red Ball in Support of causes, Mrs Ivy Davies Etokakpan, expressed the Red Ball committee’s profound commitment to a sustainable development and well-being of the Niger Delta Region and Nigeria at large.
She said; “Looking at the past year, the EveAfrique Red Ball committee made a conscious decision to focus on the often misunderstood and overlooked issue of mental health. Little did we know that we would soon experience its harsh reality firsthand. We may still be healing from its impact, but one thing is clear – mental health exist and it is our collective responsibility to understand it, for knowledge is power.”
“The EveAfrique Red Ball is a nonprofit event driven by the spirit of corporate social responsibility. Our primary aim is to raise awareness. So tonight relax, listen, learn, unlearn and most importantly take the knowledge you acquire back to your communities amplifying the truths and dispelling the myths surrounding mental health awareness and management.”
The event also featured a HEART OF GOLD Award presentation to some outstanding individuals for their developmental strives in the Niger Delta regions.
“Tonight we come together to celebrate remarkable individuals who have demonstrated unwavering commitment to the growth and development of the Niger Delta region and its people. As ‘watchers’ of the this region, it is important for us to publicly acknowledge and appreciate their contributions representing the gratitude of us all,” she said. 
Earlier Mrs. Ivy also expressed her deep gratitude to the partners who once again rallied behind the EveAfrique Red Ball in Support of Causes.
The keynote speakers of the event were Dr. U. M. Osita a Consultant Psychiatrist at Neuropsychiatric Hospital who was represented by Dr. Ayodeji Consultant Psychiatrist at Neuropsychiatric Hospital. And other speaker was Sotonye Kelechi-Nwuzi who both elu​ci​dat​ively explained the issues of Mental Health, Facts and Myths.
The Evening Agoge with a thrilling Live Performance from the famous Lavie Band.
Meanwhile, the HEART OF GOLD award was presented to Chief Samuel Ogbuku PhD, the Managing Director NDDC, Dr. Agiriye Monima Harry, a renowned orthopaedic surgeon, Kingsley Wenenda Wali, a renowned businessman. Princess Peaceful Owoghiri, CEO of Revamp Your Style ltd. Mrs Ethel Olumu, CEO of Beadakraft and founder of Engraced Life Foundation. Mrs Abitebote Biyi Richmond, CEO of Metrolite an interior Decorating Company and event management. Mrs Rosemary John-Oduone, CEO of Akenbai-Ere Nigeria Limited. Ruth Davies Ibiamu, CEO of Ruthie’s Clothing Brand /Beauty parlour and Spa.
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The partners of this year’s Redball event are Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board, Nostalgea Foods, Essence Screen, Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, Inagbo Nigeria Limited, Ixora, Tres Bien Events, Yvonne Sogwe Brown, Sambass Films, Tammy Allaboh Music, Ruthie’s Clothing Brand/Beauty parlour and Spa. Nugman Construction, Ladies on a Mission, Lavie, Elshcon, Traventino Marble and Granite, Vino Imperium, Teldecmi Global Resource Limited, Qoorier Limited, and Supreme & Mitchels.
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The Event was well attended by the Cream de la Cream of the Niger Delta Region.
