By: Hammed J. Sulaiman
*We came notice of suicide campaign embarked by Fedpoffa and sponsored by its management, please as participant in that campaign, what’s your view(s)?*
Suicide campaign embarked by #Fedpoffa and sponsored by the management is a good initiative and a very brilliant approach to battle suicide. As it is no more a news that suicide cases have littered the media houses and this is happening intermittently. This suicide issue just came to us like disease outbreak such as Ebola Virus, Lassa fever etc. But the tragedy in suicide is that, it does not have any remedy unlike disease outbreak that can be curbed through vaccines. Suicide has remained a fast track to heaven abetted by depression. So, if suicide is triggered by depression, I think the perfect solution is to launch a campaign that will give courage, hope and determination to people most importantly, Nigerian undergraduates across the tertiary institutions to never allow depression to mar their sunny days because most of the victims were students. Therefore, if something that doesn’t have remedy is consuming Nigerian youths one by one all in the name of depression, the best thing is to re orientate and speak courage to their minds and that is exactly what the Federal Polytechnic Offa has done as social responsibility by staging a campaign against suicide. In fact, it is a wonderful and perfect approach by Fedpoffa Management which I think is worth emulating by other schools to tackle suicide bedevilling our academic environments.
*How far has the campaign gained recognition geographically through social media?*
Out of the six geo political zones in Nigeria, we were able to capture four massively and the participants got the awareness through social media. Students from the Universities located in each state that forms geo political zones participated. We had participants from University of Ibadan, Lagos State University, Obafemi Awolowo University, The Polytechnic Ibadan, Federal Polytechnic Ede, Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomosho, Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Adekunle Ajasin University, Tai Solarin University of Education, Mahood Abiola Polytechnic, Osun State University, Osun State College of Health Technology, Federal University Oye Ekiti, Ekiti State University. These are some of the institutions I can recall from South West Region. We had participants from Bayero University Kano, Usmanu Danfodio University Sokoto, Federal University of Gusau, Kaduna State Polytechnic from North West. We had participants from the University of Ilorin, Kwara State University Malete, Kwara State Polytechnic, Federal Polytechnic Bida, Kwara State College of Education Oro, University of Abuja, Ibrahim Babangida University Bida and the host institution, the Federal Polytechnic Offa from North Central zone and lastly we had participants from Delta State University, Uniport and University of Uyo from South South. Those are the four geo political zones we were able to capture for now for the campaign against suicide. We are still on the matter since it is social media campaign. We shall never relent.
*What percentage can you give to the positivity of this suicide campaign in curbing high rate of suicidal cases in Nigeria?*
When we talk about the percentage based on the effect of the campaign in curbing suicidal cases in Nigeria so far, with the fact that I cannot recall all the participants and their institutions, we should be able to get about 70% remark because ever since the commencement of the campaign, no suicide report in the media committed by any student across the tertiary institutions in Nigeria as we usually heard and we pray it never happens again. We only read about the steward that committed suicide in Borno State government house. We felt bad to have read about that but we are still on the mission to eradicate it totally in Nigeria and not only among undergraduates.
*What’s the feasibility of better Nigeria through this campaign, to be out of suicide as new trend?*
*And more so, need more views especially the participants of this campaign. Their names, your name*
We are very auspicious under God’s auspices that Suicide would be buried. The massive turn out of Nigerian students across the tertiary institutions to join the campaign and notable personalities and politicians in Nigeria giving out their life’s experiences and words of courage is a good signal that, suicide shall be kept under carpet in our ambience. Even when this page cannot contain the thousands of participants’ views, we have no choice than to mention few whose words of hopes and determinations cannot be over emphasized on battle field against suicide.
Below are few published reactions with their names.
“It is a pity that suicide is on the tour across the tertiary institutions in Nigeria; we cannot fold our arms and watch this evil to sneak into our boundaries. We have to act fast, act differently and act together as management to wage war against the weird thoughts running under the guise of satanic influence. Never allow the present condition to weigh you down. Pray and work towards your desired dream. When there is life, there is hope. Say no to suicide. It is never a remedy to your problems”
#Dr. Lateef Ademola Olatunji.
The Rector, Federal Polytechnic Offa
“How do we explain better to our youths that are being eaten up by suicide via depression.
The circumstances behind the suicide cases reported so far were beyond reasonable doubt that suicide is a spell under satanic influence. This has really called the attention of the management of various institutions. We have to take it up and continue to preach courage and motivation to the minds of Nigerian undergraduates. Lecturers should propagate a channel of little digress to motivational talks and words of encouragement during lectures. Those words can heal the minds of its scars. Students should confide in students’ advisers and say it out. Problem shared is half solved. Say no to suicide. We all have stories to tell.”
#Alhaji AbdulHamid Omoniyi Raji.
The Polytechnic registrar
“My emergence as an elected Senator
representing Kwara South during last
election was a product of God’s grace and
relentless efforts to serve my people;
that is why our government shall never relent in
motivating and investing in Nigerian youths
to remain focus and keep on to believe in the future.
Winning senatorial seat after many trial is a strong
signal of hope that, tough time never last and
we shall be dedicated and committed
to the people at the grassroots; touch lives
through empowerments.
Suicide is a killer of hope and never a way out. Say no to suicide.”
#Senator Oyelola Ashiru
Kwara South Senator elect
“How do one describe the future of a country when the youths agree losing courage, depressed and submitting their lives to suicide. This suicide evil in Nigerian students must stop. When there is life, there is hope.”
#Mr. Gbenga Aleminu
Dean of Student’s Affairs
The Federal Polytechnic Offa
“It is appalling that Nigerian youths are losing courage and giving up by committing suicide. Most of the victims of the suicide so far were students. Failure is never the end of life, it gives opportunity to be a better person. Suicide is never a remedy
When there is life, there is hope.”
#Mr Olayinka Iroye.
Public Relations Officer
The Federal Polytechnic Offa.
“How many years will it take the youths to take heart and endure some pains? What is the benefit of suicide when one cannot picture his/her actual place in heaven? The Rome is not built in a day. We all have different stories to tell. Don’t speak to sniper nor rope. Speak to someone and pray to God. Say no to suicide.”
#Mr. Okoji Chuks
Mass Comm. Lecturer
The Federal Polytechnic Offa.
“Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm. If you fall behind, run faster; never give up. There maybe tough but the difficulties which you face will make you more determined to achieve your objective. Say no to suicide and rise up against the odds.”
#Mrs. Atinukemi Abass
PR and Protocol Unit
The Federal Polytechnic Offa
” When suicide remains an antidote for depression, the essence of living is meaningless but when one seeks solace in Allah, He falls mountain of sorrow and depression. Believe in God and discuss your feelings today. Suicide is not an option”
#Comr. Muritala Saheed
Fedpoffa SUG President”
“Women and girls should be able to determine their own future, no matter where they are born. Never loses hope, suicide is a sin”
#Hassan Karimot
Fedpoly Ede SUG Vice President Academics.
” Many sleepless nights had come and gone. Many tutorials and marathon classes through thick and thin, here I am as a living Corp member. When we think of where we are coming from, we would realize where we are going is not too far. Never allow depression to dig your grave before your success. Say no to suicide”
#Olufadi Balarebe Ayuub
Oyo State Corp member.
“When you know that nothing lasts forever, including the good times, then why would you let your disappointment or sadness last forever? Cheer up, gather strength, try again and be a fighter”
#Hamzat Sheriff Olaide.
From University Of Lagos”
“Life is a gift from the God almighty, our creator.
We should have faith in him in all our problems because he is capable of solving it all
It’s a sin to kill one’s self. Say no to suicide”
#Yahaya Nurudeen Akewushola
Editor in Chief
Pen Press
Usmanu Danfodio University Sokoto”
” No matter what difficulties you are going through, always remember that patient is virtue and Allah is always with those who are patient. Suicide is not in religion
Say no to suicide”
#Usman Muhammed
From Federal University, Gusau.
” The apex feature that one is selfish is to take own life because many destiny has been tied to your life for greatness. Hence your absence will render mother earth great vacuum”
#Toba Adedeji
UCJ President
Federal Polytechnic Offa.
“Bad things do happen, the response one gave to them determine the quality of one’s life. Do not choose to sit in perpetual sadness immobilized by the gravity of loss, instead, choose to rise from the pains by conquering depression and treasure the precious gift which is called LIFE”
#Akinloye Rofee’ah Jolaade
From Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomosho
“I’m dishonest, but not broken. I’m scarred, but not disfigured. I’m sad, but not hopeless. I’m tired, but not lifeless. I’m depress, but not giving up. All things are possible with God”
#Olakunle Kudman
From University of Ibadan”
“Why should Suicide be an option?
I’ve learnt to realised my mum went through pains in bringing up this soul.
Should suicide be her rewards?
Life doesn’t guarantee it has to be rosy always.
We will all have our shortcomings, obstacles and many more.
It only takes the strong ones to accept that fact.
Live your life with lot of hope
Don’t lower your self esteem, face the reality.
Like I always say” I’m too blessed to be stressed “
suicide is not an option
#OlawuyI Saidat
From University of Ilorin.
“Life is not a problem to be solved but a gift to be enjoyed. Make everyday your best day and every moment a pleasant one”
#Fakayode Damilola
From Rufus Giwa Polytechnic Owo
“Everything changes when you begin to love yourself, you are strong,talented,creative,blessed and valuable,you are enough, inspiring, you are making a progress. Stand in your authentic brilliance, even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise. You have the power to say This is not how my story will end, you are alive for a reason so don’t ever give up
“Accept your power”
#Oladele motunrayo Elizabeth
From Moshood Abiola Polytechnic.
“Suicide doesn’t end the chances of life getting worse, it eliminates the possibility of it ever
getting any better.”
#Alamu Nafisat Ajoke
From Federal Polytechnic Ede.
“Though the duck swims smoothly on water,
Underneath it has to struggle and pedal,
Nothing comes easier in life without struggle,
So stay motivated”
#Uthman Fatima
From Bayero University Kano.
_©️Hammed J. Sulaiman_
_Poet/Essayist/Writer, Student of Law from the Most Peaceful University in Nigeria, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. UDUS Pen Press Journalist. Editor at Winsala Muses. Editor/Publisher/Veteran Journalist with Republican Newspaper Nigeria._
_sulexmighty@gmail.com_
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