Senate urges FG to ban Sniper, establish Trauma centers
The Senate today at plenary urged the Federal Government through the Ministry of Information, National Orientation Agency and the Ministry of Health to urgently create awareness on how to control stress and depression and establish trauma centers across the country.
In a motion sponsored by Senator T. A. Orji representing Abia Central and 15 other Senators on Rising Incidents of Suicides Amongst Nigerians, the Senate notes with grave concern, the rising cases of suicides particularly among young Nigerians in recent times. It also notes that significant number of people with suicidal intentions keep their thoughts and feelings as a secret and show no sign that anything is wrong.
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They regrets that many people commit suicide out of ignorance and situation that could be addressed. They mentioned the names of Michael Arowosaiye on 14th May 2019, Aisha Omolola of Ahmadu Bello University, a professor of Biological Science from the University of Agriculture ,Makurdi, Tolulope Aboderin, a banker and Samuel Elias a final year student of University of Nigeria Nsukka who all died as a result of suicide.
Worried that the number of Nigerians taking their lives has assumed a frightening dimension of late and the government, religious institutions and other relevant corporate bodies have not addressed the ugly situation in the country and the situation may continue if not properly addressed.
The Senate accordingly resolved to urge the Federal Government to ban the production, importation or circulation of snipers insecticide, a product currently used to commit suicide.
They also urged the Federal Government through the NUC to review the school curriculum and come up with compulsory courses that will enable students place value on their lives and detest suicide.
Finally they promised to engage the executive arm on the need to expand the scope and content of the Special Intervention Program of government and to leverage on extant schemes like the N-Power in creating economic opportunities for the vulnerable sections of the population.
Charles Akpan
Deputy Director
