Indeed the suicide rate in Nigeria and Africa at large is increasing by the day even though this is regarded as an abomination in African societies, nowadays people see it as a problem solver.

The economic downturn and recession has played it's own part in this because many companies are being shut down, some lay off their workers while some underpay their workers, twenty-eight States out thirty-six struggle to pay their workers and all these contribute to so many being unable to meet their basic needs.

Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in Nigeria, one of the major causes being depression which is one of the most common mental disorders in human being. Current research shows that depression is caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental and psychological factors. 27% - 70% of suicides originated from depression.

Recently, in this month of March, two suicides were committed on the 18th and 19th day of the month.
On the 18th, a 500l student of Urban and Regional Planning in Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho Oyo State (LAUTECH) by name Adesoji Adediran hanged himself in his hostel after insisting to read in his room while his roommates went for night class, only for them to find his body dangling in the room on their return.
On the 19th, a man later identified as Dr Allwell Orji jumped into the lagos lagoon, leaving his mother and entire family in dilemma.

In the course of my study, a particular case in Ado-Ekiti caught my attention, where a level 12 officer named Tope Afolayan frustrated by unpaid salaries and his huge debts committed suicide leaving behind his wife who is a teacher in a public school with three children.
That brings me to ask, will his death offset the debts incurred, get his salary paid or even take care of his family?

It will surprise you to find out that in the past nine months, the following States has recorded these number of suicide cases.
Ogun has 30 suicide deaths
Lagos has 17 suicide deaths and 9 attempts
Ebonyi has 10 suicide deaths
Oyo has 6 suicide deaths
Kano has 6 suicide deaths and 2 attempts
This statistics shows the states with the highest suicide rate that doesn't mean they are the only States that has recorded suicides.

Most people start thinking of suicide when they find themselves in the following positions;
When someone dear to them is announced dead
When they get divorced, separated or breakup in a relationship, this is the case 30% of the time.
Loss of job, home, personal security or self esteem.
When emotional or physically depressed, this is rated to be the case 55% of the time.
The abuse of alcohol and drugs.
After diagnosis of a major illness eg HIV /Aids or Cancer.

All these risk factors are things that could be managed or solved with proper communication, many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.

Life is a journey and not all the paths would be smooth, you do not have to give up when it isn't moving well, mind you the catapult is lunched only after it has been pulled backwards, it is determination that determines your destination! Know your limitations and defy them! Always remember that there is no elevator to success, you have to take the stairs! Stay strong, keep pushing and be patient.

Suicide is only a foolish man's way of ending struggle towards success, it doesn't remedy any problem.

For you mind..

With the foolish youths ate shouting Sai Baba upandan, Very soon they will be selling tickets at the Lagos lagoon...