Increased philanthropy can reduce cases of suicide, says ex-PTDF boss

• Cleric condemn act

Former Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Trust Development Fund (PTFD), Engr. Muttaka Rabe Darma yesterday said the increasing cases of people committing suicide in the country can be greatly reduced if wealthy Nigerians increase their acts of philanthropy gestures.

Darma made the call while speaking with newsmen in Katsina, insisting that such philanthropic gestures and welfare programmes would go a long way to ease troubles of those contemplating suicide due to life’s challenges.

“My appeal to our wealthy individuals and government is that they should do more for the needy in the society. The idea of people committing suicide because of life’s challenges should be of serious concern to all of us.

“We should do more than what we can in terms of coming up with various welfare programmes and philanthropic gestures that will soothe the pains of many. “If we do this, many people will do a rethink before committing suicide,” he said.

The ex-PTDF boss spoke shortly after his Non Government Organization- Pleasant Library and Book Club, presented awards to various categories of people who are mainly artisans.

The awards also attracted donation of token sums of money to majority of the recipients. He said the awards were to further encourage them and assured them that the society appreciates their roles

He revealed that the recipients were carefully picked after a selection process that lasted took five months to ensure fairness. Among the recipients were Ahmed Mohammed who bagged ‘Driver of the year award’; Lawal Dan Borno who received Motor Park call Man of the year; Musa Abu who bagged Medical Attendant of the year and Abdullahi Bature who was awarded ‘Electrician of the year’.

Meanwhile, the Parish Priest of St. Leo’s Catholic Church, Ikeja Lagos, Rev. Monsignor John Aniagwu has described the increasing suicide cases, especially on the Third Mainland Bridge as barbaric and uncalled for.

The cleric stated that life was sacred and it should not be wasted or mismanaged, adding that, “God gave life and it should not be tampered with.”