News and Events / September 10, 2022

News and Events / September 10, 2022

There is growing awareness of suicide as a major public health problem, even though there is a taboo in many societies against discussing openly. Worldwide Suicide rates have increased by 60% over the last 50 years, and the increase has been particularly marked in developing countries. Suicide occurs all over the world and can take place at almost any age.

Globally, suicide rates are highest in people aged 60 years and over. In some countries, however, the highest rates are found among the young. Notably, suicide is now among the three leading global causes of death among young people aged 15-34 years, the majority of suicides are reported in adults and older adults (60 years and older).

Pesticide poisoning, hanging and firearms are among the most common methods of suicide globally.

In Nigeria, Suicide is becoming a looming Public health problem and should be taken seriously.We remember popular cases that were reported of a man, a medical doctor who drove down to the third mainland bridge, parked his car, jumped into the lagoon, and died in 2019.

-A young man identified as Kelvin committed suicide at Modinatu Street in the Ogba area of Lagos.
-The lifeless body of Kevin who works with a new generation bank was found dangling from a ceiling fan, in his apartment by neighbors.
-Young Nigerian, creative designer and founder of Uhuru Designz, the United States of America-based clothing company, Izuchukwu Madubueze reportedly committed suicide Over Fake Rape Allegations that took place on Twitter in July 2020. He even announced his own death on twitter before his death.Sadly as we know these are not all the cases and some have not been covered by the media.

Suicides are Preventable!

“No matter where a country currently stands in suicide prevention”, said Dr Alexandra Fleischmann, Scientist in the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse at WHO, “effective measures can be taken, even just starting at local level and on a small-scale”

1. Always Check up on friends and family.
2. Encouraging friends and families to always take mental health seriously and to see a counselor when it’s necessary.
3. Responsible reporting of suicide in the media, such as avoiding language that sensationalizes suicide and avoiding explicit description of methods used, and early identification and management of mental and substance use disorders in communities and by health workers in particular
.
4. Social media has come to stay and some people are living fake lives. Don’t compare your life with others because you don’t know what they are going through and you may just be better off than them.
5. Follow-up care by health workers through regular contact, including by phone or home visits, for people who have attempted suicide, together with provision of community support, are essential, because people who have already attempted suicide are at the greatest risk of trying again.
6. Regular exercise, improve healthy lifestyle.
7. Reducing access to means of suicide is one way to reduce deaths.

• African Mental Health Awareness & Care Initiative, Maiduguri
• Mental Health Foundation, Nigeria
• Gede Foundation, Abuja
• UNIC Ikoyi

News and Events / October 8, 2021.

News and Events / October 8, 2021.

Featuring in the Guinness World Records is obviously not a yearly event. This is why Wavecrest College was excited to be a part of an amazing project partnering with the Fly Africa Initiative to make an official attempt to break the Guinness World Record to make the largest cupcake mosaic logo of 60,000 cupcakes to celebrate Nigeria’s 60th Independence Anniversary in Lagos.

For those who may not know, Fly Africa is an initiative of Outori Limited created to inspire and educate Africans through live experiences, to rise up to their great potentials by taking actions that will move the African continent forward. Mr. Wole Olagundoye the Managing Director of Outori and the brain behind the ‘Sweet 60’ project visited Wavecrest College with his Team to conclude plans and logistics on how the tail end of the project will be executed. This last lap was indeed very crucial and needed to be handled by professionals and like minds who saw the vision of the project through his own eyes.

Choosing Wavecrest College; the place to ‘Discover Hospitality’ to partner in the project was indeed the best decision. Wavecrest College is the First Private Monotechnic in Nigeria specialising in Hospitality careers, with over 40 years of hospitality experience built on our solid core values of Teamwork, Respect for others, Industriousness, Personal responsibility, Integrity and Spirit of service.

The role of Wavecrest was mind-blowing – to prepare the butter icing, roll and cut out fondant icing of different colours needed to cover 60,000 cupcakes. 60,000 not 6,000! This indeed was a challenge for us but knowing the goal, we were ready to go any length in order to make it happen.

The College became a factory overnight with all hands on deck from the usual catering staff, to our students who joyfully volunteered. Even the Provost had her own quota of fondants to cut. It was another opportunity to witness our values come alive in real time as every member of staff took up the project like it was their personal business. It took 4 days working round the clock, swimming in shades of green, grey and white fondant, kneading and cutting 3 inches each of fondant, no more no less.

‘Thank you for everything your team did to make this historical event a success. Your warm hospitality was second to none, your team members were awesome and dedicated and I am indeed proud to be associated with you.’ This feedback from one of the Project Coordinators says it all!

At about 11 p.m. Wednesday night – 30th September, 2020 -, the gigantic-sized cooling van containing the last batch of meticulously labelled cake boxes especially those for the shimmering diamond design in the centre of the logo left Wavecrest College premises to Teslim Balogun Stadium. At that point, we could heave a sigh of relief because we knew we had achieved.

Wavecrest was part of ‘the icing on the cake’ the beauty that met the eye, for the ‘Sweet 60’ project, the Guinness world record breaking mosaic representing the beautiful and breath-taking 60th Anniversary logo of Nigeria’s 60th independence anniversary.

We would like to appreciate Mr. Wole Olagundoye for giving Wavecrest College the opportunity to be a major part of the project and the penultimate site for the last lap of preparations. A man who can embark on a project like this in spite of the challenges of 2020 is obviously a person to reckon with. His resilience drive and optimism are second to none. Fly Africa has certainly lived up to its aim of showcasing African talent and solidarity as all parties involved played their role excellently well. The major sponsors and collaborators – Lagos State Government, Dangote Sugar, Graceco Foods -Baker’s Choice and Golden Penny could not have been more supportive.

The other partners were a pleasure to work with here at Wavecrest College – Atinuke Soje of Nukkies Boutique cakes, Mr. Ajayi of U & I cakes, Mrs. Toyin Naiwo of EventsPedia and indeed all the amazing volunteers. With this display of team spirit, we are very hopeful that our dear country Nigeria has a brighter future.

‘Cheers to Sweet 60’.

Baptista Uwandu Wavecrest College Marketing Personnel, Mrs. Toyin Naiwo EventsPedia, Mrs. Helen Eboigbe
– Wavecrest College Development Committee.