There has been a spike of youth/student suicide over the past few months. The number has caused several online (twitter) debate on what should be done.
The prominent way these students see as a way out is the use of the common insecticide ‘sniper’ which cost merely #300 naira. Some called for the banning of the insecticide, others called for the regulation of the insecticide. But one key fact many didn’t focus on was why would a promising student want to end his/her own life in such a painful way?
The thing many don’t know about taking ‘sniper’ is that it kills you from the inside out. ‘Sniper’ is highly concentrated, such that even sleeping in a room that has been sprinkled with it can cause temporary if not permanent breathing problems to an individual. ‘Sniper’ solution starts from a burning sensation in your eyes. You vomit your intestines just to escape the pain. The person won’t be able to control his/her bowel movement so they defecate on themselves.
All the while, the person is clearly aware of what is about to occur, death. But the agonizing pain overshadows the reason the person wanted to die. So, was it really worth it?
This is what is being felt. But what else can the person do as the decision to die through the toxic chemical has been consumed?
Online critics have bashed the company for producing such highly concentrated chemical. Although, they are certainly not to be blamed. The purpose was for it to kill insects and pests around the home. Even homeowners are very wary of its abilities that after use they repeatedly wash their hands to avoid stories that touch.
The question, however, still lingers in my mind why and what should be done about it?
While working on this, I interviewed several students concerning what could push students to take such measures to end their lives.
Khadija (pseudonym) a 300 level student in the faculty of English language spoke to me about her thoughts concerning student deaths/suicide.
Interviewer: What do you think is the major cause of the hike in students’ death of recent?
Khadija: Well, there are many factors, which include family pressure, school, and academic pressure and social pressure. Students are surrounded by constant pressure and it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact cause.
Interviewer: There have been many faults due to the family. I remember the first viral suicide by a student in this very school (undisclosed) who blamed her death on her family in her suicide note. I can certainly understand the social pressure. But there has never been any mention of school or academic pressure.
Khadija: By academic pressure, I don’t even mean getting excellent grades; that is already what you are in school for anyway. But there’s heavy pressure from professors and lecturers to meet up to their standards and levels.
Khadija: Not quite. There are some lecturers I know first hand who dictate anyhow in the school like the faculty was made for them.
It is understood that students these days take advantage of certain matters and situations but some of these lecturers take it to the extreme. I know of a student who carried over a course for missing ONE class and they had a major test.
Interviewer: But that’s understandable. You aren’t to miss a class and if that test was part of the CGPA, it must have been a fair judgment.
Khadija: But the student gave birth on that day. The lady’s husband spoke to the lecturer on that day. He said it was okay. I mean, was it her fault she happened to deliver on that day? Where’s the humanity? Students are expected to be at lecture halls before 7:30 am for a lecture that’s 8:30 am.
Interviewer: But how does all these lead to any form of pressure?
Khadija: When students are overworked, meant to move like robots, fear to get in trouble for the slightest mistake – which has happened – what do you expect to happen?
The point is we are all human and one day we will break. It doesn’t mean suicide, but this is Nigeria, for one thing. No one knows who has what kind of heart defect. One tiny news of a fail in an important course can lead to cardiac arrest or something else.
Interviewer: So do you suggest lecturers ease up on the students? Be less strict so they do whatever they want? Even possibly bring the standards of the school down?
Khadija: Oh, please no. Don’t get me wrong. I only want the school management to know what lecturers do to students. A friend of mine is repeating a course for writing notes with a black-inked pen. He didn’t even write the exam because the lecturer refused him into the hall. So there’s no way you can say he might have failed.
Interviewer: Do you think if the school administration actually counseled lecturers on certain behaviors, things would be different?
Khadija: Of course, we humans have some compassion in certain matters. But in all honesty, some students do have faults and when you are about to punish them, I believe you should do it in all fairness.
At the end of the interview, I believe I learned a major fact, which is there is enough blame to be passed around.
The thing to be done is to take guidance and counseling seriously, and also health. Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to health.
Further interviews will be conducted over the next few weeks on this issue. To know what can be done and what exactly is happening to the Nigerian youths.
In the mean time, your opinion always matters.