 |
Aisha, a-300 level ABU Zaria student
who committed suicide last year over
‘lack-of-parental-love/ |
Campus suicide
as feedback to Nigeria’s harsh economic condition
UJI ABDULLAHI ILIYASU examines the high
incidence of suicide among Nigerian students in higher schools and reports that
the major reason that prompts these promising youngsters to take their lives is
not unconnected with economic hardship.
incidence of suicide among Nigerian students in higher schools and reports that
the major reason that prompts these promising youngsters to take their lives is
not unconnected with economic hardship.
Background
What is suicide? Suicide occurs when
a person deliberately takes his own life. Most of the causes of suicide are
said to be linked to mental problem. But what causes this mental problem?
a person deliberately takes his own life. Most of the causes of suicide are
said to be linked to mental problem. But what causes this mental problem?
Mental
problem is mostly caused by poverty and hopelessness arising from frustration
which results in mental health complications. In the history of Nigeria, no
time had the Nigerian students deliberately terminated their lives as it is
being witnessed now.
problem is mostly caused by poverty and hopelessness arising from frustration
which results in mental health complications. In the history of Nigeria, no
time had the Nigerian students deliberately terminated their lives as it is
being witnessed now.
Many say students’ poor performance
in intellectual achievement is the cause, but this is not the truth. Nigeria
has been administering intelligence or cognitive test to their students since
the colonial period but the case of suicide among students had never been so rampant.
in intellectual achievement is the cause, but this is not the truth. Nigeria
has been administering intelligence or cognitive test to their students since
the colonial period but the case of suicide among students had never been so rampant.
Among all other factors experts
adduce for the rampant suicide cases among students is the economic. In the
present situation, even workers who receive salaries at the end of the month
hardly survive how much more of students who depend on parents or other family
members.
adduce for the rampant suicide cases among students is the economic. In the
present situation, even workers who receive salaries at the end of the month
hardly survive how much more of students who depend on parents or other family
members.
The life expectancy of Nigerians, according
to the latest WHO data published in 2018,
is: male 54.7, female 55.7 and total life expectancy is 55.2 which gives Nigeria a World Life
Expectancy ranking of 178.
to the latest WHO data published in 2018,
is: male 54.7, female 55.7 and total life expectancy is 55.2 which gives Nigeria a World Life
Expectancy ranking of 178.
Life expectancy is the average
lifespan of individuals in a country.
People in the advanced countries are expected to live more years on
earth than people in poor underdeveloped economies like Nigeria, because they
have good health facilities, good roads, enjoy leisure and other good things of
life.
lifespan of individuals in a country.
People in the advanced countries are expected to live more years on
earth than people in poor underdeveloped economies like Nigeria, because they
have good health facilities, good roads, enjoy leisure and other good things of
life.
A child born in Nigeria today is
expected to live for 55 years and
die off, while her counterparts in developed countries like USA can stay and
enjoy life up to 76 years.
expected to live for 55 years and
die off, while her counterparts in developed countries like USA can stay and
enjoy life up to 76 years.
Ministry of
education’s silence
education’s silence
It is unfortunately that
stakeholders in education sector are not inclined to addressing the high
incidence of suicide on the campuses of Nigerian higher institutions of
learning. In Nigeria we leave the substances and chase shadows. People are now
talking of banning the sale of a pesticide called sniper because it is being
used by students to commit suicide. Why don’t we find out the fundamental
reason why Nigerian students are taking their lives? Why suicide is only
happening among children of the poor but not among children of politicians and
big time businessmen and women studying abroad?
stakeholders in education sector are not inclined to addressing the high
incidence of suicide on the campuses of Nigerian higher institutions of
learning. In Nigeria we leave the substances and chase shadows. People are now
talking of banning the sale of a pesticide called sniper because it is being
used by students to commit suicide. Why don’t we find out the fundamental
reason why Nigerian students are taking their lives? Why suicide is only
happening among children of the poor but not among children of politicians and
big time businessmen and women studying abroad?
Suicide as
feedback from people
feedback from people
The reason is simple: suicide is a
feedback from the people to the government of Nigeria. The harsh economic condition is too much for
people to bear and those who are bold enough to speak out are the students.
They speak out through their untimely deaths, in other words, this is their own
way of protesting the economy that refuses to protect the downtrodden.
feedback from the people to the government of Nigeria. The harsh economic condition is too much for
people to bear and those who are bold enough to speak out are the students.
They speak out through their untimely deaths, in other words, this is their own
way of protesting the economy that refuses to protect the downtrodden.
Recent cases
of suicide
of suicide
Many undergraduates in the country
have committed suicide in the last four years. Maybe that is the price the
youth have to pay for wanting a change of government or probably for better a
tomorrow.
have committed suicide in the last four years. Maybe that is the price the
youth have to pay for wanting a change of government or probably for better a
tomorrow.
A 300 level student of the Ahmadu
Bello University, Zaria, Aisha Omolola, committed suicide in her apartment at Samaru
area of Zaria due to ‘lack of parental love’
Bello University, Zaria, Aisha Omolola, committed suicide in her apartment at Samaru
area of Zaria due to ‘lack of parental love’
A student of Obafemi Awolowo
University, Ile-ife, Kolapo Olowoporoku, reportedly committed suicide after
repeatedly failing some courses.
University, Ile-ife, Kolapo Olowoporoku, reportedly committed suicide after
repeatedly failing some courses.
Mr Olowoporoku was an ‘extra year’
Computer Science student who ought to have graduated two sessions ago but was
delayed as a result of two outstanding courses.
Computer Science student who ought to have graduated two sessions ago but was
delayed as a result of two outstanding courses.
A third year Physics/Astronomy
undergraduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Onyebuchi Okonkwo, was found
dead early Thursday morning at an uncompleted building located beside the
hockey pitch in the school.
undergraduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Onyebuchi Okonkwo, was found
dead early Thursday morning at an uncompleted building located beside the
hockey pitch in the school.
Close to the suicide site was a
purported suicide note that read, “The controversy is over.”
purported suicide note that read, “The controversy is over.”
What controversy you may ask. It is
the controversy of the myriads of enervating forces against the common man in
the country.
the controversy of the myriads of enervating forces against the common man in
the country.
An undergraduate of Niger Delta
University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa state, Aduba Daniel, reportedly
committed suicide by drinking an insecticide called Sniper.
University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa state, Aduba Daniel, reportedly
committed suicide by drinking an insecticide called Sniper.
People conjectured that the deceased
had carry-overs in four courses and this must have led him to take his own
life. This is a childish explanation.
had carry-overs in four courses and this must have led him to take his own
life. This is a childish explanation.
If family members can look for as
much as N10-50m ransom to free octogenarians’ abducted by kidnappers, what
makes you think that young men and women in Nigerian universities would love to
take their own lives?
much as N10-50m ransom to free octogenarians’ abducted by kidnappers, what
makes you think that young men and women in Nigerian universities would love to
take their own lives?
In October 2017, a 16-year-old 100-Level
student of Microbiology at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Miss Mercy
Afolaranmi, allegedly took her own life by drinking a rat poison. The reason
given for Afolaranmi’s suicide by sources close to her was “emotional
pressure.”
student of Microbiology at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Miss Mercy
Afolaranmi, allegedly took her own life by drinking a rat poison. The reason
given for Afolaranmi’s suicide by sources close to her was “emotional
pressure.”
A 30-year-old student of the
Nigerian Law School, Abuja, Auwal Haruna, allegedly hanged himself on the
ceiling fan in his hotel room in Takum, Taraba state.
Nigerian Law School, Abuja, Auwal Haruna, allegedly hanged himself on the
ceiling fan in his hotel room in Takum, Taraba state.
.In February, 2018, a student of
Abia State University, Wilson Chukwudi, allegedly committed suicide because he
failed to graduate after two academic sessions in a row.
Abia State University, Wilson Chukwudi, allegedly committed suicide because he
failed to graduate after two academic sessions in a row.
The following month, a final-year
student of Computer Engineering at the University of Benin, simply called
Adams, was found dangling from the roof of his room at Ekosodin Community in
Ovia North-east local government area of the state.
student of Computer Engineering at the University of Benin, simply called
Adams, was found dangling from the roof of his room at Ekosodin Community in
Ovia North-east local government area of the state.
A 17-year-old girl, Temitope Saka, died
after drinking Sniper, in the Igando area of Lagos state.
after drinking Sniper, in the Igando area of Lagos state.
The reason was that when she was impregnated
out of wedlock, her grandma insisted she packed out of the house.
out of wedlock, her grandma insisted she packed out of the house.
Earlier, a 19-year-old girl, Uche
Obiora, allegedly took Sniper at her boyfriend’s house, which is a stone throw from
Saka’s grandmother’s house.
Obiora, allegedly took Sniper at her boyfriend’s house, which is a stone throw from
Saka’s grandmother’s house.
Call for sniper
ban
ban
Some Nigerians say a ban on Sniper
would reduce the rate of suicide in the country.
would reduce the rate of suicide in the country.
This reason for the ban of a
pesticide is laughable. Is sniper the only dangerous substance that can
deliberately take life?
pesticide is laughable. Is sniper the only dangerous substance that can
deliberately take life?
It is a shame that stakeholders in
the education sector do not find any fault with the ministry of education or
university authorities for the rising cases of suicide on the campuses. Nobody
cares.
the education sector do not find any fault with the ministry of education or
university authorities for the rising cases of suicide on the campuses. Nobody
cares.
What experts
say
say
Dr Harvey Funmilayo, says suicide is
a mental health issue, “A ban on Sniper is not an effective solution.
People will find other means for suicide. When they jump off bridges or storey
buildings, what do we do then? Demolish all bridges and buildings? A Sniper ban
will score cheap points. But it will not solve the mental health crisis,”
he said.
a mental health issue, “A ban on Sniper is not an effective solution.
People will find other means for suicide. When they jump off bridges or storey
buildings, what do we do then? Demolish all bridges and buildings? A Sniper ban
will score cheap points. But it will not solve the mental health crisis,”
he said.
May I hastily add that Lagos bridges
be demolished because people jump from them into lagoons to end their lives?
be demolished because people jump from them into lagoons to end their lives?
Olowolafe Samuel, while blaming the
system, said, “No one is talking
about a calendar that doesn’t put into consideration the psychological
stability of students.
system, said, “No one is talking
about a calendar that doesn’t put into consideration the psychological
stability of students.
“Drawing logical deductions, it may
be correct to say that what we have is not a matter of the students failing but
the system failing itself. The system is that which is not intelligent, not the
students. A reason why Nigeria students easily make academic landmarks in
foreign countries but it becomes an herculean task to get good grades in their
own country.”
be correct to say that what we have is not a matter of the students failing but
the system failing itself. The system is that which is not intelligent, not the
students. A reason why Nigeria students easily make academic landmarks in
foreign countries but it becomes an herculean task to get good grades in their
own country.”
A former Executive Secretary of the
National Universities Commission, (NUC) Professor Peter Okebukola, blamed the
trend on a host of factors, which can be summarized as frustration with life.
National Universities Commission, (NUC) Professor Peter Okebukola, blamed the
trend on a host of factors, which can be summarized as frustration with life.
“These factors can be internal or external to
the university. Poor academic performance leading to being asked to withdraw
from the university, peer bullying, especially by cult groups, and abject
poverty, are some of the internal factors.
the university. Poor academic performance leading to being asked to withdraw
from the university, peer bullying, especially by cult groups, and abject
poverty, are some of the internal factors.
“Factors external to the university
include inherited suicide tendencies, family bereavement, which may adversely
affect the university education of the student and parental pressure to marry
outside the student’s choice.”
include inherited suicide tendencies, family bereavement, which may adversely
affect the university education of the student and parental pressure to marry
outside the student’s choice.”
Okebukola noted that the rising
suicide rate in Nigerian universities could be checked through counselling and
the introduction of a General Studies course, which will include topics that
should discuss the disadvantages of suicide, as well as preaching against
suicide in places of worship on campus.
suicide rate in Nigerian universities could be checked through counselling and
the introduction of a General Studies course, which will include topics that
should discuss the disadvantages of suicide, as well as preaching against
suicide in places of worship on campus.
“There should be an observatory in
every university to detect students with suicide tendencies and the authorities
should trigger emergency response,” he said.
every university to detect students with suicide tendencies and the authorities
should trigger emergency response,” he said.
World Health
Organisation
Organisation
World Health Organisation (WHO) says
while the link between suicide and mental disorders is well established in
high-income countries, many suicides happen impulsively in moments of crisis
with a breakdown in the ability to deal with life stresses, such as financial
problems, relationship break-up or chronic pain and illness.
while the link between suicide and mental disorders is well established in
high-income countries, many suicides happen impulsively in moments of crisis
with a breakdown in the ability to deal with life stresses, such as financial
problems, relationship break-up or chronic pain and illness.
Besides, experiencing conflict,
disaster, violence, abuse, or loss and a sense of isolation are strongly
associated with suicidal behaviour.
disaster, violence, abuse, or loss and a sense of isolation are strongly
associated with suicidal behaviour.
Suicide
accounts for about one million deaths globally annually. And for every suicide
20-25 more have attempted, according to the WHO. The Global Health Observatory
puts the global age-standardised suicide rate at 11.4 per 100,000 people, and
suicide is the second leading cause of death among those aged 15-29 years. The
rate in Nigeria is put at 9.5/100,000. It has been strongly linked to
depression, and also drug abuse, directly or in association with depression.
accounts for about one million deaths globally annually. And for every suicide
20-25 more have attempted, according to the WHO. The Global Health Observatory
puts the global age-standardised suicide rate at 11.4 per 100,000 people, and
suicide is the second leading cause of death among those aged 15-29 years. The
rate in Nigeria is put at 9.5/100,000. It has been strongly linked to
depression, and also drug abuse, directly or in association with depression.
While suicide is not a new
occurrence globally and locally, there is a worrying concern that youth suicide
may be on the rise. This is particularly troubling for countries, like Nigeria,
that have a relatively youthful population, where they make up a sizeable
number and are the major productive age group. To lose them to suicide has
grave consequences for economic growth, according to WHO.
occurrence globally and locally, there is a worrying concern that youth suicide
may be on the rise. This is particularly troubling for countries, like Nigeria,
that have a relatively youthful population, where they make up a sizeable
number and are the major productive age group. To lose them to suicide has
grave consequences for economic growth, according to WHO.