Continental Re celebrates positive role models
Abdullateef Fowewe
Continental Reinsurance, on Tuesday, joined the global community to celebrate the International Men’s Day, observed annually on November 19, which recognizes men’s contributions to the society, and addresses their unique challenges.
The 2024 theme, ‘Men’s health champions’, focuses on improving men’s overall well being, promoting healthy lifestyles, and celebrating positive male role models.
During a programme to mark the day in its office in Lagos Nigeria, the Group Managing Director of the company, Mr. Lawrence Nazare, emphasised the company’s commitment to staff welfare, pledging to create a supportive work environment that fosters mental health and personal growth.
The programme was attended physically by male and female staff in Lagos office, and virtually by other staff in its offices in Douala, Abidjan, Tunis, Nairobi and Gaborone.
Nazare said, “We celebrate positive role models in this company; These are people who live honest lives. We celebrate men’s positive contributions to the society, to the environment.”
“This day highlights men’s significant roles in families, workplaces, and communities, acknowledging their contributions to society and nation-building. It fosters appreciation for their efforts in various domains, including childcare and community service.“
He also highlighted the need to focus on men’s health, social and emotional wellbeing, and the need to improve gender relation.
According to him, the company was committed to facilitating the development of men and women, and helping them to grow and reach their full potential.
The Guest Speaker, the Managing Director /Chief Executive Officer of Pause Factory Resources, Enahoro Okhae, while admonishing the men, urged them to, “Take charge of their mental health, be resilient, and increase their satisfaction by appreciating their selves for their hard work.”
While noting that men also have emotions, he said they should not be shy to express their feelings as there was nothing wrong in expressing their emotions.
“Being a man goes beyond provision and power. Your leadership is beyond money even though your money is important,” he said.
He observed that there was a lot of expectations on men, making them unable to talk about their weakness and ask for help, which was affecting their mental health and causing low self-esteem.
With high hopes on the man to provide and provide protection, his bid to be the man that the society expects was breeding toxic masculinity, he said.
According to him, the negative effect of cultural expectation places pressure on men, and that becomes harmful to the men and the society.
Okhae called on women to be understanding and supportive to their spouses and male partners.
