Today, Chimezie Agwu, ex-banker, concludes his article on Suicide. Please read on:
Another cause of suicide is being too secretive about oneself in almost everything. When some people are suffering from any ailment, even if it is life-threatening, they will rather endure the excruciating pain until it kills them or they commit suicide, instead of sharing the problem with others. It is unfortunate that even in the hospital, some patients will not disclose to the doctor, what they are suffering from. It has to be forced virtually out of them.
The saying that, “A problem shared is half solved”, is axiomatic. There is nothing new under the sun. There is hardly any situation in life that people have not passed through. Anyone therefore that prefers to keep sealed lips over his problems is on his own. It is said that variety is the spice of life. After the day’s work, it is advisable to make out time at least once a week, to unwind. This is to prevent boredom and make life more interesting.
Sitting glued in front of the TV every evening to watch programmes can be boring. Couples and their children should seek outdoor relaxation, including going to a decent hotel or to an eatery from time to time. There, the man should give his family and himself a treat, and be satisfied that he has lived up to expectation as a loving husband and a caring father. When they go back to their house later in the evening, the pleasure continues and whatever enjoyment that may still be lingering for the couple, they will give it to themselves readily and unstintingly and all these, they will wrap up with restful sleep to mark the end of a memorable evening!
It is good to come out and mingle with jolly people, joining in their fun and jokes, instead of living like a recluse. According to Chamfort, a writer, “The most completely lost of all days is that on which one has not laughed”. In these days of frozen food, when virtually every food item, including meat, is sold in parts, ‘pomo’ (cow skin) should, at times give way for turkey, chicken parts and goat meat, in the family menu, instead of making them to appear on the table, only on festive occasions. Refuse to be accustomed to hardship. By prayer is for hard work and purposeful living, for you to be happy and be able to say: ”No to suicide”. Like the Psalmist, declare to yourself, I will not die; instead, I will live to tell what the Lord has done. “Psalm 118:17 NLT
We, as individuals, should be helpful to one another to, at least, reduce cases of suicide. We should not shut our doors against the misery of others, less fortunate than we are. The Government should work harder to improve our economy. Jobs should be created so that more Nigerians can be employed. Idleness, hunger and frustration, which may cause suicide, can be shown the way out of our lives.
Solid and decent iron devices should be constructed on both sides of the Third Mainland Bridge and other bridges to serve as a barrier to those who may want to make illegal use of the bridges. For the same reason, there should be armed security patrol on the bridges. Religious leaders, in our Churches and Mosques, should drum it into the ears of their flock, that suicide is not a solution to any problem.
Bearing malice can cause high blood pressure, which can lead to heart attack and eventual death. It is advisable that we should learn to forgive and forget injustices done to us, rather than harbouring anger in the mind. Some people have committed suicide, resulting from misfortunes. It could be as a result of flood, or fire disaster, in which, residential houses, or shops were razed, leading to the loss of goods worth millions of Naira. In such a situation, one could take solace in the fact that as long as there is life there is hope.
Lost love, often drives young people in particular, into suicide. They cannot endure being jilted by their girlfriends or boyfriends. Married adults do not find it easy to cope, when their partner walks away from the relationship. But as the saying goes, “It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all”. God does not accept any excuse for suicide. Being duped by con men or tricksters, should be no excuse for committing suicide. “Experience,” they say, “is the best teacher only the school fees are heavy”. Often, some people, including the highly educated, out of lack of contentment, part with their hard-earned money to tricksters, who promise to double or multiply it into billions of Naira, but end up losing everything with suicide beckoning. We should learn that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Bareness is another cause for suicide, especially, among women. Those in this category should take the cue from Hannah in the Holy Bible. She went to God penitently in prayer to ask for a child. Her request was granted, and she was blessed with a star son – Samuel! She was further blessed with three sons and two daughters [1Samuel 2:21].
Let me use this medium to appeal to those who may not fare well in this year’s general election to bear the result like a stoic, and not to terminate their lives. Anyone who wishes genuinely to contribute to the development of Nigeria, can do so without necessarily getting immersed in party politics with all its intrigues, manipulations, acrimony, recriminations, jolts and jars and vibrations
Our elders say that what engaged the mind of a person before he or she decided to end his or her life, was not a one-day thought. So, after all considerations, my prayer for those who died a natural death, is the same for those who died by suicide –- may their souls rest in peace, in Jesus’ name. Amen. I leave the judgment to God.
By Chimezie Agwu; 07082882568
Comment by family tonic:
A few months ago, I wrote in this Column that suicide is one of the highest manifestations of selfishness. There is no doubt that the victim must have suffered a great loss in one thing or another but he is only after himself. He does not consider the impact of his action on his family members, friends and neighbours. He forgets that his death will complicate issues the more for those he is leaving behind.
In that case, it is meaningless shedding tears for him. It is also important to know that suicide is a sin against God, Who commanded, “Thou shall not kill”. A man, who has committed suicide has killed someone – himself! The Bible is clear that we are not our own. We were bought with a price.
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