Cleric, Reno Omokri advises religious bodies on how to handle suicide

Rev. John Adeyinka, the Presiding Pastor at Beloved Power Ministries, Ipaja, Lagos, has reacted to the rising number of suicide cases.

In a recent interview, the cleric urged religious bodies to do better in order to combat depression and suicide, Naijachurchnews reports.

Adeyinka said: “Also, Nigerians should, more than ever, be their brother's keepers. A situation where we stigmatise and deride at those who share their problems with us is bad.

Such people might be forced to see solution in suicide as they have been let down by the society. We should provide help as much as possible so that we can put a lid on the problem.“

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He also encouraged people to go for counselling and look up to God, rather than turning to suicide.

“Self-murder or what people simply call suicide is on the rise in the country. Apart from the fact that God frowns at it, it is not the solution to life’s problems.

“God told us in the Bible that our body is His temple and that if we destroy that temple, we have sinned against Him. I know that some problems can be overwhelming, but there is no problem that has no solution with patience, divine intervention and help from people.

“Rather than people jumping into the Lagoon or hanging themselves, they should seek the face of God and share their problems with those around them. That could help to offer the solution,’’ he advised.

Reno Omokri has also spoken on the same subject.

Taking to his Facebook account, he posted a strong advice to churches, urging them to focus on "extending love to the broken," rather than miracles and financial breakthroughs.

In recent times, there has been an increase in suicide attempts.

35-year-old medical doctor, Allwell Orji,recently jumped into the lagoon after parking his car on the Third Mainland.

His death was followed by a suicide attempt by a 58-year-old textile merchant on Lagos Island ,Mrs. Titilayo Momoh, on the same bridge.

She tried to take her life over an N18.7M debt, she was rescued by the Police.

ALSO READ: Another man rescued while trying to jump into Lagos Lagoon

The same day, another suicide attempt was foiled by divers, who were able to stop Mrs. Abigail Olayinka, a food seller, from taking her life.

She owed a micro-finance bank over N150,000.