branding-nigeria-logo1Lady Nma is a strong example of the can do spirit. She is highly respected within her field as a woman of integrity and as someone who stands up for what is right. We got a chance this month to sit down with this veteran radio and tv broadcaster, clinical psychologist, teacher and so much more and we had an interesting conversation covering almost all aspects of who she is. We hope that you read this piece and you become inspired.



Lady Nma found herself invited into the world of tv broadcasting in the late 70‘s. Then she was working with children and acting in the role of a mediator within families that have a history of domestic violence (physical or emotional). She found that she was able to connect with children and get them to spill what was going on in their home. Through this, she could get involved in helping to solve problems and actually help to heal families. Her work got the attention of NTA and she was invited to host a program handling these kinds of issues. She did such a phenomenal job - that she was invited to be a member of staff within NTA (Nigerian Television Authority). She then went ahead to work as a producer and presenter within NTA. She was later invited to work with the Anambra Broadcasting Corporation where she works as a Television and Radio broadcaster presently.

Lady Nma has always had a heart for education. She found out at an early age that she could not do a particular thing effectively unless she has gone through it or she has studied it. She definitely takes this mindset into all she does. She found herself taking graduate courses at the university and studied Psychology , teaching and fine and applied arts. - Now, one will think that with all these educational points in her favor , that she will choose to live in the esoteric world of ideas but Lady Nma has always loved people and enjoys working with them - particularly societal rejects. Her heart for people led her to set up a remand home (life care protection rehabilitation center) where she takes in those that have mental issues, children that are missing, drug addicts, disabled etc and she works with them. This remand home is an NGO and she does not get any support from any foreign agency for what she does.

At this point,we thought it best to discuss - mental health in the African setting. For many that live in the diaspora, we know that mental health issues is still secretive within the black community. The black community in many Diasporan societies deal with their issues either via the church, barber shop or salons. We had to ask if this same kind of mentality exists within the African community and how can a psychologist get an African in Africa to open up. According to Lady Nma, “we have different ways of getting the person to open up. Many of the mental issues we have here are as a result of depression. A lot of people bottle up their problems without discussing it.” Quite true!

We had to also further discuss - the impact of culture in solving mental health issues. According to Lady Nma, there are people within our African societies who act in the role of a psychologist. One of those people is the local native doctor. “ When the native doctor says I understand your plight , they relax. They [native doctors] listen, relax and they proffer solutions”. Now, Lady Nma is not advocating that people visit native doctors rather she is pointing out one of the traditional roles that exists in most African societies. She goes ahead to give an example of why understanding the culture of a place is important in solving problems. She states that, ‘they [government] want to rehabilitate people, it is best to use people from here because they know the customary law and the cultural system. Without understanding culture and how it plays a role in healing, it will be difficult to rehabilitate them”. In Nigeria, there are less than 200 trained Psychologists working in the country. In Anambra state where she resides, she is the only one practicing outside the university setting.

Since she mentioned the Niger Delta boys - we had to discuss this a little bit more in depth. She states, “as you know the Federal government asked some psychologists who had been trained outside the country to help in the rehabilitation of some of the Niger Delta boys and these psychologists have not been successful. The reason being that many of these psychologists do not know the culture or the ways of the people. It is sad because there are many trained applied psychologists, criminal psychologists here in the country who would have been able to help. There is no way a foreigner can change those boys. Many of these psychologists apply drugs”. It is interesting to note how different cultures play a role in solving problems. United States has been accused often in the media as a drug society where we believe that drugs can cure all ills and when you compare it to societies in Africa where community is seen as a way of dealing with ills, it becomes clearer why some systems of healing in some societies will have a difficult time working in Africa.

We were so impressed by Lady Nma that we had to ask for some word of advice for many that just want to be like her when they grow up. She states, “ you must be willing to work alone. People will come around trying to find a way to make money but once they find that there is no money making to be made they will go away. You must be very optimistic about what you want to do. You must be straight forward. There are many who won’t like you. Some don’t like me because I am a no nonsense person. Anyone who aspires to be like me should be prepared not to have much but they will not lack".

It is impressive when we talk to men and women in Africa and the Diaspora who are doing so much with the little that they have. It is inspiring, particularly, if these are people who are not blowing their own trumpets but are doing this as a service to humanity. Africa, as well as the Diasporas, has so many of these kinds of people and we will keep on trying to show case who they are and what they do and have done monthly on this site.

 


Unfortunately - at the time of the taping of this interview - Lady Nma was working in a remote part of the East,so the conversation is not that clear but if you want to listen to it. Please click play to listen.


Listen here

 

 

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Last Updated ( Saturday, 17 December 2011 16:23 )