Recession: Hunger Increases Suicide Rates in Nigeria – Ex-Aso Rock Chaplain

•  Insists Nigeria should be restructured

Paul Obi in Abuja

Following the hardship that has befallen Nigerians occasioned by the economic recession, a former Chaplain of Aso Villa Chapel and General Overseer of All Christians Fellowship Mission, Maitama, Rev. Dr. William Okoye, on Sunday expressed great concern about the hunger and poverty in the country, stating that it has increased cases of suicide.

Okoye stated this in Abuja during an interview with journalists, after addressing his congregation on the state of the nation in a message entitled: “The Need for a Social and Cultural Security Safety Net.”

He warned that if urgent steps were not taken by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, the number of people killing themselves because of poverty and hunger could increase, ushering in confusion and more devastation.

Okoye urged Buhari’s government to listen to the voice of reason and urgently embark on the processes for restructuring the country in line with demands from the intelligentsia and leading bureaucrats.

He said: “Yes, Nigeria is in a serious problem now; people are dying and killing themselves because when they come to the end of the road and they don’t have anybody to support or encourage them, they think that the best option is just to give up by just killing themselves.

“It shouldn’t be happening in our society where we have responsible citizens, we should reduce that (suicide). We can’t be talking about government, government and government.

“The government has its roles to play but we all as individuals should also have our roles to play and when each of us takes responsibility to play our roles in our own little ways and corners, those things add up to bring the stability for which we are believing God.

“I read everyday, I read the newspapers everyday and I watch news everyday. And not only that, there are many that you cannot capture because of where they happen.”