Why is Suicide on Increase in Nigeria? Depression or
gods are angry?
After Dr
Allwell Oji jumped into the Lagoon at Third Mainland bridge, and also the suicidal
attempt by two women also wanting to jump into the Lagoon. Many people,
including medical experts, seem to be pointing to depression as the possible
cause for Dr Allwell Oji’s tragic suicide. However, two renowned Ifa priests
have maintained a different stance. They believe that the likely cause of Dr
Allwell Oji’s decision to commit suicide was either because he was controlled
using an African traditional technique or the lagoon is hungry and angry.
In an attempt
to solve the mystery of what really caused Dr Oji’s demise, NewTelegraphonline
consulted Ifa priests, Chief Omo-Oba Olorunwa Ayekonilogbon and Chief Yemi
Elebuibon, another well-known Ifa priest. And they said: Chief Omo-Oba Olorunw
Ayekonilogbon: “Considering that it was after Oji received the call that he
took his life in such a cruel manner, speaks volume. That a bird cried at night
and a child died in the morning could not be wished away as a mere coincidence.
“It is either he was controlled using an African traditional technique or the
lagoon is hungry and angry. If he was controlled through African traditional
way, no matter how he tried to evade it, he could still have looked for or
waited to get near water before taking his life. You also know that our religion
believes in destiny, it could have been his destiny as well. Again, if you look
at the rate of deaths in the lagoon in recent time, via suicide mostly; it is
equally possible the water is hungry and angry.
What His Royal
Highness, Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos, needs to do now and urgently too, is to
assemble credible traditionalists, I mean Ifa priests, to find out why the
lagoon has suddenly become angry. All what the Babalawos need do is get close
to the water, take a little for consultation. Ifa is capable and would surely
reveal why all these things are happening. Until that is done, we might be
chasing shadows.” Chief Yemi Elebuibon spoke in a manner that suggests that Oji
could have been ‘programmed’ (hypnotized) to do what he did: “It is a great offence
for a person to commit suicide; an abomination. Whoever does that is considered
to have brought dishonour to his/her family. “Yet, the traditional belief
behind suicide is that some people do not just commit the act on their own, but
for some mystical interventions.
However, some
people could find themselves in critical and unpleasant situations, and opt for
suicide as the last resort instead of living to face the problem. Whenever it
happens proper inquiry is set up by the king or head of the community where it
occurred to find the cause of the problem and an Ifa priest is mostly called
upon to prescribe atonement to cleanse the city.”
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