Suicide is not an option

Although in Western philosophy, as surmised by Martin Heidegger in his Being and Time (1962 p.289), “As soon as man comes to life, he is at once old enough to die,”. Truly, death is no respecter of age. Incontrovertibly, the saint and the sinner are both condemned to death and whoever does not die today […]

Although in Western philosophy, as surmised by Martin Heidegger in his Being and Time (1962 p.289), “As soon as man comes to life, he is at once old enough to die,”. Truly, death is no respecter of age. Incontrovertibly, the saint and the sinner are both condemned to death and whoever does not die today will certainly do another day. But in one of the numerous submissions of my people, they say, “Ikú ọdọò da.” Yes, it saddens the elders (good ones) whenever they hear the horrible news of a youth’s death. 

However, today, the news of youth attempting suicide is rife in our society. To me, it is becoming very worrisome. 

Some few days ago, a 21-year-old man, Olalekan Odunare, was reported to have committed suicide by jumping into a lagoon at Epe in Epe Local Government, Lagos State. He’s survived by his parents, wife and a child.

Honestly, people are going through a lot of things. And they have subscribed to gloomy introspection as the way out. Oftentimes, this form of solution would always activate suicidal thoughts.

The meat of the matter is: it is indeed a trying time— especially for the youths. From the disturbing menace of unemployment, (peer) pressure, academic troubles, migration issues to failed relationships amongst others; most youths are having a tough time dealing with the aforementioned situations. And it has turned their minds to a pressure cooker.

Consequently, I’ll suggest that parents, guardians and friends check on their children/wards/chums. Do not assume they are fine. Help them get through their difficulties. Sometimes, emotional support is enough to make their waving sea of troubles turn a still water. I believe you’d rather wrote a thrilling tribute on their success(es) than writing an elegy.

Folorunso, Fatai Adisa, wrote from  Abeokuta