In a bid to ensure adequate health care, especially as has to do with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Rev. Fr. Stephen Ojapah, member of the Missionary Society of St. Paul (MSSP) is set to launch an organisation to cater to the needs of Nigerians, going through trauma owing to terrorism in the country. Fr. Ojapah made the disclosure while speaking recently at an international event on nation-building, held at the Catholic Chancery, Abuja. The priest who was kidnapped by gunmen last year alongside three others from the rectory at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Katsina State, said he was working to build O-Trauma Victims Initiative (OTVI), a project he explained is, “for Nigerians … to help us deal with the trauma that comes with banditry and other forms of violence.”
According to him, “OTVI offers medical care, trauma counselling, and legal aid to victims of kidnapping in Nigeria. It also provides vocational training and economic programmes to help victims of kidnapping recover financially. “OTVI has special programmes for children who are suffering from trauma, as well as women and girls who are victims of gender-based violence. It also works with community and government leaders to raise awareness about the importance of trauma recovery.” Fr. Ojapah said that healing trauma is an important part of strengthening Nigeria. He said: “Nation building is ‘an art’ that it requires the population to become more selfless, loving, compassionate and forgiving.”
He decried the attitude of Islamist religious and political leaders in Nigeria, who he said are actively engaged in destroying the nation through their utterances, insisting that the people have a nation to build. Reflecting on his experience, he said he and his companions are all living testimonies to what the Lord has done because just a year ago, they were in the hands of the kidnappers, and between life and death. According to him, “On this day, last year, I woke up in tears and in real pain. Not knowing whether we would make it to the next day, as the kidnappers had decided on killing me to drive home their requests and demands.” “As I woke up in the early hours of the June 22nd, 2022 to pray, I couldn’t. Rather I was silently crying.”
He said the Diocese of Sokoto paid over N25 million, in ransom in exchange for his freedom and that of his companions, as he added that he has forgiven his kidnappers. He said: “On the day the kidnappers were to release me, I was in tears and weak. One of the kidnappers asked me, ‘Will you still forgive us after all we have done to you?’ With tears in my eyes and pains in my heart, I said, ‘Yes.’ I truly meant the yes.” On his 10th priestly ordination anniversary which came up in the month of June, Fr. Ojapah said: “This anniversary, like many other priestly anniversaries, could have been celebrated in a low key, but after the unfortunate incident of my kidnapping, I have a deeper understanding about life.”
He explained that he wanted to use the occasion of his 10th priestly anniversary and the first anniversary of his release from captivity to advocate for mental health for Nigerians who have been through traumatic experience as he. He thanked all who accompanied him with prayers during his captivity. “After journeying with me last year in tears and sorrow, it is only fitting that you equally celebrate with me today. When we were ordained priests, we were ordained to serve humanity, build the people of God,” he reflected.
