Four years ago, Motunrayo Ogbara, a 26-year old ex-banker in Lagos State was found dead, she committed suicide. Her death sent shock waves round the metropolis. What baffled people was the young lady had just returned from the United Kingdom where she had begun her master’s program. She had everything going for her, a comfortable life but the question everyone asked was why no one saw it coming. A graduate of Economics from the University of Lagos, she had worked with a reputable bank in Lagos, Access bank where she resigned to undergo a program in the United Kingdom. About the same time a Lagos politician, Mr. Al-Mustaim Abani, alighted from his chauffeur-driven car at Marina, in Lagos and jumped into the lagoon.
Last year it was Yinka Olonode, a radio host, he had hosted the radio program “Get a Grip” in Cool FM before moving to America where he died after jumping from the rooftop of a restaurant in downtown Portland hotel. He was identified as an illegal immigrant previously arrested on a felony vandalism allegation.
Without doubt, reports on young Nigerians committing suicide have increased over the years with depression often times cited as the main cause. A counselor and ordained minister Pastor Obinna, Mountain of fire and Miracles Ministries says it stems from frustration, depression and hopelessness. He likens it to a rocking chair that refuses to stop, when you continuously think and gradually begin to worry which from a Christian perspective means God cannot do it. This in turn may lead to high Blood pressure which could lead to stroke. He further said some spirits are behind suicide, this is common in the west and it is the reason why someone would go into a classroom and kill himself and others simply because he is angry with the world. He also explained in detail how demons living in an individual could push that person to commit suicide which he may not want do. Using biblical references, he cited instances of such persons needing deliverance. The point was these demons or personalities dwell in a person with the sole purpose of destroying such a life it is therefore imperative that deliverance takes place because when deliverance occurs, there is liberty from that demonic spirit.
In the Bible, about six people committed suicide and all acts were committed in desperation and disgrace. Samson who collapsed a building, in the process killed himself and numerous Philistines. Judas Iscariot was overcome with guilt that he hung himself after betraying Jesus Christ. Then Zimri in 1 Kings 16: 18, rather being taken prisoner, he set the king’s palace on fire and died in the flames, Ahithophel, in 2 Samuel 17:23 due to disgrace and rejection by Absolom hung himself. Finally, there was Abimelech, Saul and his Armour bearer.
In all cases, these lives were wasted something God frowns upon for it is a sin to take one’s life. Our lives are precious in the sight of God and to buttress this we can hear God crying out in Deuteronomy 30:9-20, that we must choose life no matter the circumstance:
“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life…” (NLT
So if this is the key to life we can emphasize on the need to preserve life. God who is the author of creation wants us to value what he has freely given to us. Besides, how do we take what was not ours in the first place. We do not choose to come to this world neither do we choose how we come. Though, the Islamic faith would argue differently, which explains why some people want to volunteer to die in such acts. THEY don’t see it as suicide at all, but as their ONLY absolutely guaranteed way of entry into Paradise. Such an individual does not see himself as being a terrorist rather he thinks of himself as a loyal martyr for Islam. Consider this,
people in the name of religion killing themselves and others because that faith says they are going straight to heaven.
In any case, suicide is not rearing its ugly head in Nigeria alone, months back; it was Robin Williams who succeeded in taking his own life at the age of 63. The question everyone asked was how a Hollywood star could take his own life. What was so bad that the only solution was to end it all? Recently, news filtered that a former WCW and WWE wrestler Sean O’ Hair was found dead with a rope tied round his neck. His body was discovered by his father.
If truth be told, suicide is a selfish act but again it may be easy to conclude since one cannot understand what drives such persons to take their own lives. While writing this, I remembered a story that held everyone who heard it, Spellbound. Mirabel, not her real name, woke up hale and hearty and sent a message to her grandmother to hurry down to her house; if she did not hurry she would be dead. By the time her grandmother arrived she discovered her dead body, she had taken rat poison. She left behind a loving husband and two children. No note was left other than she had wanted her divorced parents to reconcile.
Recently, a woman popularly called Kate from Liberia was found dead under a pear tree, she had killed herself. Residents said the woman was from Liberia and had been sickly for some time but after the outbreak of Ebola that was brought to Nigeria by the Liberian diplomat, Patrick Sawyer, people avoided her and opted not to have anything to do with her.
We can never know the truth of what actually went on in the minds of these individuals or what their state of mind was? Whichever way the coin flips is suicide the only option? For “Cowards die many times before their death but the villain only tastes of death but once” Our fear invariably kills us slowly or suddenly. Where ever the boat sails, even if it is against the tide, how we react is crucial to our very existence because “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players; they have their exits and their entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages.”
In life there is a key to unlocking doors. How we set about finding the key and using it, is paramount to our existence. Nevertheless, the key is having faith in your creator, remembering you didn’t create yourself, appreciating your existence and finding a way to overcome challenges at the same time understanding hiccups will automatically put the brakes on an otherwise smooth sail in life. So, it is a responsibility each individual must accept, it is life.
In Nigeria suicide is against the law. The harm nevertheless is in a failed attempt. The criminal code provides in sections 326 and 327 that:(326) Any person who – (1) procures another to kill himself or (2) counsels another in killing himself; is guilty of a felony, and thereby induces him to do so; or (3) aids another in killing himself is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for life.
Maybe it is all about removing insecurities, egos and other negative factors that affect the path to happiness and achieving set desires. “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born… and the day you find out why.” The beginning to finding true contentment lies in finding your purpose. However, how many find that purpose, how many seek to truly find it?
In conclusion, whoever we are, wherever we are and whatever we do, we need to embrace life and give it all our best no matter what comes by.
It is my sincere desire that we find peace and remain in perfect health. And I find comfort in these words “He is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”Proverbs 30:5