By Chukwuemeka Chimerue
WORRIED by the rising cases of suicide, especially among young people in higher institutions of learning in the country, a student group, the Association of Southern Nigeria Students, ASONIS, has initiated an awareness campaign to curtail the ugly trend in schools.
The awareness campaign tagged, “Stop Suicide And Embrace Hope,” is targeted towards giving hope and reducing the menace of suicide incidents that has since become prevalent among students in Nigeria universities.
In a press statement by the national president of the group, Mr. Edeh Elijah, ASONIS revealed plans to conduct a seminar that would run in all the 36 states in the country, including the Federal Capital Territory, adding that it would not keep quiet until the menace is defeated.
The statement reads in part, “In line with my promise to make life worthy for our association executive and members even the entire Nigerians, I and my team have come up with a national programme tagged ‘Stop Suicide and Embrace Hope.’
“This is mainly to ensure drastic reduction in the madly increasing rate of suicide in Nigeria.
“As a counselor, I sincerely know the value of life and the pain we bear when it’s lost prematurely.
“Association Of Southern Nigeria Students(ASONIS) will not keep quiet until suicide is defeated in Nigeria.
“My visit to some schools in South West Nigeria reveals vividly to me the challenges students are facing and lack of attention they are suffering.
“You will agree with me that Rome was not built in one day, I assure you of my steady selfless service to humanity.
“Don’t ignore the call to educate the masses and the students to stop suicide and embrace hope.
“We will not continue in pretence, our members and our nation deserves to live and not this ugly suicide news trending everywhere.
“The program is a seminar which will run nationally, in the states in Nigeria plus the FCT, Abuja.
“Let’s save lives in Nigeria and teach fellow country people to embrace hope.
“Also the Association Of Southern Nigeria Students national conference which is scheduled to happen in Enugu state Nigeria by September 26th to 28th, 2019, has gathered great support and acceptance.
“Don’t be told, get involved in making positive difference in Nigeria. For enquiry, call:09064215808.”
