"Ministry of Happiness" will curb rising suicide cases- Okorocha

Former governor of Imo state, Senator Rochas Okorocha, has said that "many Nigerians are  committing suicide because they are not happy."

He stated this Tuesday following a motion sponsored by Senator Theodore Orji (PDP-Abia) and 15 others on the  rising incidence of suicide among Nigerians, which urged the federal government to ban the production, importation or circulation of "Sniper", an insecticide product currently used to commit suicide.

As panacea, Okorocha, therefore, advocated for the creation of a government Department or Ministry of Happiness, even as he implored government to rather dedicate time to investigate reasons for the rising suicide cases across the country.

While making his presentation, Senator Orji earlier noted the rising cases of suicide, particularly among young Nigerians, saying it would be prevented when family, friends and close relatives of the person contemplating suicide provide support, either by way of encouragement, listening to them or removing dangerous drugs and chemicals, especially Sniper, from them.

He added that the number of Nigerians taking their lives had assumed a frightening dimension, saying that government, religious institutions and other relevant corporate bodies have not addressed the ugly situation in the country, even as he said the situation may continue if not properly addressed.

Senator Orji further revealed that there is need to create awareness on how to control stress and depression by government, religious institutions and relevant corporate bodies, even as he recommended the establishment of trauma centres across the federation; to reduce the rate of suicide in the country.

Also contributing,  Sen. Bamidela Opeyemi (Ekiti) said the issue of suicide  was more of a sociological issue that has to do with depression, mental issues and ultimately  poverty, saying the Senate must interface with the executive to address challenges in the economy by creating opportunities for employment through industrialisation and agriculture.

Adopting the motion, the Senate urged the federal government, through the Ministry of Information, National Orientation  Agency (NOA), Ministry of Health, to create awareness on how to control stress and depression.

The Senate also urged the federal government, through the National Universities Commission (NUC), to review the school curriculum and come up with compulsory courses that would  enable students place value on their lives.

It further urged religious bodies across the federation to always preach love, peace and how to relieve stress and depression, saying there was need to engage the executive to expand its special intervention programme to leverage on extant schemes like the N-Power in creating economic opportunities for the vulnerable people (NAN).