Call him an a dogged fighter, a solution finder or an astute writer, you may not be entirely wrong.
Comrade Thomas Ezeagu former Editor/Publisher of Statereporters News Cable is indeed an enigma.
Sometime ago, on his Facebook timeline, he wrote the word “suicide”. Many of his Facebook friends who saw what he wrote became apprehensive, given the high rate of suicide in the zone.
Many contacted him on phone to inquire, presumably, why he decided to take his life. But, the taciturn Ezeagu didn’t let the cat out of the bag. Few days later, he posted his new book entitled ‘Suicides’.
Recently, our reporter tracked him down to his office at Adani, Uzo-Uwani local government area where he threw more light on why he chose to write “suicides”.
My Early life
I hail from Ugbene-Ajima in Uzo-Uwani local government area of Enugu state.
I am equally a writer and foremost political activist. Added to this, I am a promoter and an advocate of good leadership. I was once the Editor/publisher of Statereporters News Cable and the first son of a retired Assistant Superintendent of Police.
I studied Law in the University of Nigeria, Enugu campus, Enugu State. As a young politician and political activist, I was among contestants for the Enugu State House of Assembly during the 2015 general elections. But, I have to make way for whom the party chose.
A foremost political activist in the state and the country at large. I am the author of “Suicides” , a book written for the general reorientation of our teeming youths and the general public, who may be facing depression when they feel dejected.
I have held the position of the National Secretary of Patriotic Nigerian Youths against Corruption and Social Injustice and a former editor/publisher of Statereporters News Cable.
My book ‘Suicides’
I know it is awkward but there are so many reasons why I chose this strange but all encompassing title for my novel.
You will agree with me that we live in a world that is enmeshed with uncertainties and strange occurrences. Media updates are littered all over the air space; live occurrences are also there to give you a little insight into my decision to work on this project.
Today you read that Chukwuemeka Akachi, a former student of UNN drank some poisonous substance and died, and tomorrow another ugly news of one Samuel Elias of the same institution came up that he also killed himself and then you start loosing faith in the world.
Some months ago, you read on paper that one prophetess committed suicide in Enugu-Ezike. So, these are what we see daily and if you check it very well, you will discover that it is our youths that are taking their own life.
You equally know that a lot of people have killed themselves in order to escape from the hard emotional trauma inflicted on them by the harsh policies of those who are at the top.
You go to the Universities, you see how some wicked lecturers are bent on making life miserable for innocent and vulnerable students.
You look at the leadership of the country, the harsh economic policies of our leaders are on the other side ripping people off their livelihood. Some have failed relationships while others, unfulfilled aspirations. These are what gave birth to “suicides.”
The rate at which persons especially youths resort to suicide when the world presents them with its bad side is quite alarming. This novel has come to reset the mindsets of this class of people and I believe its purpose coming into existence will be achieved.
Reasons youths resort to suicide as last option
Though I had never attempted suicide, and I will never even do, but I had been through some circumstances that one who is not emotionally disciplined could consider suicide.
My research showed that most people, especially the teeming youths are faced with endangering and subduing challenges which have proven difficult to solve. Let’s take a look at our students in different higher institutions.
They get messed up and frustrated by the attitudes of some uncontrollable lecturers. These lecturers make learning and graduating a herculean task for students.
Those who cannot meet up with their demands will be frustrated, dejected and depressed by the consequent actions of these lecturers.
Specifically, some youths grow without orientations on the ups and downs of this life. They grow to believe that things should always be well with them no matter what, so that, if there is a delay or distortion of their expectations, they become emotionally traumatized.
Let’s take a brief look at the statistics. Nigeria for instance, is ranked 15th in the world and 7th in Africa for suicide rates.
These rankings were determined before the Covid-19 pandemic which goes to imply that, in no distant time, there will be depression in various economies of the world, with Nigeria and her imminent recession not going unscathed.
How suicide and supernatural forces relate
Generally, this social vice is mainly occasioned by the high rate of unfavourable competitions among the unequals. Suicide has nothing to do with supernatural influences or deity – I don’t believe this myth.
However, I know that severe depression has a lot to do with this issue. You really need to know what depression does to its victims – it strips its victims all forms of hope. As a victim of depression, your morality and rationality will be lost, so that, you will not see any glimpse of hope in yourself.
It is at this time that suicide becomes the inevitable path to toe as it will be seen as the only way out of the emotional pains and discomforts that come with depression.
‘Suicides’ will help curb the menace
My book ‘Suicides’ was written at the peak of the outbreak of Coronavirus and was published in the month of September.
I strongly believe it has continued to gain maximum acceptability among our youths as they are the target class of people. Any young man or woman who can make it a point of duty to read the 64 page book will convince him/herself that there is no need whatsoever for suicide.
Suicide is never an option or solution for any problem. That’s what the novel stands to achieve.
‘Suicides’, is the only readily available antidote for this prevalent societal ill. It has inherently 100% dissuasive and healing ideas.
The only obligation to be fulfilled by the target class of people is to strive to get a copy. You do not need to be a victim or know a victim before getting a copy, because the earlier you know what is in the book, the better for the society.
Aside the major theme, there are also other invaluable moral lessons embedded in the novel. Just get a copy and assimilate the contents.
This novel is dedicated to the Executive Governor of Enugu State.
The dedication has no political colouration as many may begin to view it. Majorly, I dedicated it to the governor to show my unalloyed appreciation with regard to the sense of belonging he offered the youths of the state and how he had ordered for my unconditional release from detention when I was illegally detained by a sitting Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for demanding for good governance.
His emergence as the governor of Enugu State has liberated the youths from the dungeon of political abandonment to total political inclusion, freedom and social relevance.
On my own part, if I stumble on any body who wants to commit suicide, I will make this particular person a very close ally, nurse him/her back to hope and gift him a copy of my book if he is educated enough to read the book.
Though I have not seen any person who wanted to commit suicide, but wish to come by one some day so that I will save such a person.
I still believe that the worst sin one can commit is suicide. But I assure you can avoid suicide by reading “suicides” and keeping good friends.
The story behind the book “suicides”
SUICIDES is a very heart touching novel written as a motivational piece intentionally cooked for those who are sitting on the fence of confusion, frustration and depression. It is an antidote to the scourge of suicide commission in society.
The novel revolves around Mike Ifedimma, the son of Mr Donald Ifedimma Mike. as a child who has the dream of becoming a renown lawyer, is unable to realise his dream due to an ailment he never considers significant and capable of thwarting his dream.
When Mike gains admission into higher institution, he has made up his mind to be among the best graduating students of his time. He is regular to school and maintains being punctual to lectures. He is known for his vast knowledge and rare intelligence, but cannot prove it due to his health challenge.
Despite his predicaments, he is optimistic to succeed, but the more hopeful he wishes to be, the less he lives up to it as the effect of the illness is affecting his brain. Although, he has undergone different forms of treatment in different hospitals, his problem persists:
Seeing the obvious that he may not make it through the university, he considers to dropout of school Mike’s decision to quit doesn’t appeal to Charles, his best friend in school.
Charles tells him to try and complete his studies, but seeing that Mike was resolute and also seeing how bad his health condition is, he supports him to do his wish Charles, tells him to quit, but advises him to, once he is back to his healthy ways, take up a vocation or better still go into business and return back to school ones he is bouyant.
Furthermore, Mike is one who lacks the emotional and academic support of his father He is not checked by his father throughout his secondary school days.
His father believes that his major duty is to provide money However, Mike is privileged to receive the parental advise he missed from his parents in the numerous motivational books he reads.
As there is no hope of recovery and breakthrough in his life, Mike considers taking his life This time, he prefers being left alone away from his friends, but Charles continues to hang around him.
Charles knows that if he allows Mike to be by himself, he will commit suicide. One night, Mike does not sleep because he is thinking about the next move. Beneath his pillow is a bottle of sniper he bought the previous day. He almost kills himself, but for the prompt intervention of Charles.
While Mike’s reason for wanting to kill himself is a personal issue, Wisdom, Ojo Adejo and Charity kill themselves for reasons not related to Mike’s.
Wisdom’s case is as a result of depression while Charity kills herself because her boyfriend abandons her for her best friend
The death of Ojo on the other hand is as a result of the wickedness of Pro Magnus who has consistently failed Ojo because he comes late to lecture ones and fails to buy his (Magnus) handouts for lack of money. He is so fed up with the so many unmerrited carryovers that he decides to end it all by taking his life.
Through the help of Charles, Mike’s orientation with regard to taking his life changes. Now, he wants to live on. He wants to break new grounds and now wishes to advocate against suicides.
Mike has made up his mind to quit school, but his greatest challenge now, is how to relate it to his parents. He thinks of the pain and shame it will bring upon his parents.
At first, he is reluctant to inform them, but later does as he is left with no choice The news sends a huge disappointment to his parents, but they have no choice than to accept it, that it is better he comes home half way alive than coming home dead for trying to graduate.
Through the assistance of Charles and Frank, Mike goes home to meet his parent. On their way home, they come across two vehicles that involve in a fatal accident leaving everybody onboard dead accept a little poor boy.
The little boy is actually travelling with his brother who just concluded his National Youth compulsory service, but dies on the spot. Mike is quite confused about it.
In his mind, he think that this life is not balance because, at times, it is the one who wants to live on the dies and the one who wants to die, doesn’t die. Mike, who is now enjoying his life prays, he never sees death until he achieves his goals and dies naturally.
Many years after Mike has left school, he becomes a fashion designer Through hard work, he becomes highly sought after.
On the other hand, his friends Charles and Frank have both graduated with first class from their school and are retained as lecturers. They are doing very well.
Towards the end of the novel, the trio decides to have a get together. It is in this together that they recount their journey so far. They are so delighted that they all made it finally after all the hurdles.
In conclusion, the novel portrays one of the most prevalent social ills ravaging t world today Many people seem to consider suicide as the only option to overco their problems. The fear to squarely face ones challenges tends to propel ones decision to toe this part.
That one fails in an endeavour doesn’t mean that all is finished. Remember that the end product of all the struggles of this life is to achieve success. There are different channels to achieve this in as much as it doesn’t go as public policy and morality
Suicides according to this book is the choice of the feeble minded. Whoever is a hero doesn’t shy away from his confrontations, but he faces and conquers one at a time
The novel also establishes the importance of keeping good friends just as we see in the way Charles and Frank are there for Mike Lastly, it makes provision for parents to take up their responsibility of being there for their children both emotionally, morally and financially
It also tends to expose the evils perpetrated in universities by some lecturers as seen in the case of Ojo.
Finally, there no justifiable reason for one to take his or her life.