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Genk striker Tolu Arokodare could team up with compatriots Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey at Fulham in January, with Turkish publication Haber61 reporting that English Premier League club are preparing a bid for the in-form striker, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. Arokodare joined Genk in 2023 and has been impressive for the club, scoring goals for
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The Federal Government is working towards de-criminalising attempted suicide in the country. The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammed Pate, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja at a news conference to commemorate the 2024 World Suicide Prevention Day. The commemoration is marked worldwide on September 10 every year. The theme for 2024
Nigerian govt moves to decriminalise attempted suicide
The Federal Government is working towards de-criminalising attempted suicide in the country.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammed Pate, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja at a news conference to commemorate the 2024 World Suicide Prevention Day.
The commemoration is marked worldwide on September 10 every year. The theme for 2024 is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide”.
Suicide is a criminal offense in the country but there have been several calls by stakeholders to de-criminalise it.
Captured under Section 327 of the Criminal Code Act, it says “Any person who attempts to kill himself is guilty of a misdemeanour and is liable to imprisonment for one year.”
Pate, therefore, said that the ministry had launched the National Suicide Strategic Framework (2023-2030) to boost mental health and assist in the prevention of suicide.
Represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, the minister said the document identified the risk and protective factors associated with suicide in the country.
He added that it also identified the strategic objectives, interventions, and indicators for suicide prevention, in line with international best practices.
The minister said that available data on suicide in Nigeria is put at 12.9 per 100,000, which is high.
He further said that suicide rates are high among young people aged 15 to 29 years, making it the fourth leading cause of death in the age group in Africa, accounting for 40 percent of all suicide deaths.
He, however, said that the statistics may not fully reflect the true prevalence of suicide in Africa, as all the reporting and stigma surrounding mental health issues remain huge barriers to accurate reporting.
Pate also said there was a strong link between suicide and mental health conditions, and that depression and alcohol use disorders were established links.
According to him, many suicides happen impulsively in moments of crisis, with a breakdown in the ability to deal with life’s stress such as financial problems, relationship issues, breakups, chronic pain, and illness, among so many others.
He, however, said that the theme of the 2024 Global Observance Day is hinged on raising awareness about the importance of reducing stigma and encouraging open conversations to prevent suicide.
The minister added that changing the narrative means shifting our focus from the tragedy of suicide to prevention.
“It means moving away from taboos, stigma, and discrimination, to empathy and positive cultural change.
“As we stand united, we acknowledge the pain and suffering of those who have lost loved ones to suicide and we affirm our commitment to creating a society that supports and cares for those struggling with mental health issues.
“Suicide prevention is our collective responsibility and we must all be committed to building a society that values mental health, promotes well-being, and provides care for everyone,” he stated.
President Ahmed Bola Tinubu has arrived in Maiduguri to sympathize with the government and people of the state over the Alau Dam flood disaster. According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Tinubu arrived around 3.15 pm. Tinubu, who was received on arrival by Governor Babagana Zulum, is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on the
Flood: Tinubu arrives Maiduguri
President Ahmed Bola Tinubu has arrived in Maiduguri to sympathize with the government and people of the state over the Alau Dam flood disaster.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Tinubu arrived around 3.15 pm.
Tinubu, who was received on arrival by Governor Babagana Zulum, is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Umar-Garbai El-Kaneni, from where he is expected to proceed to one of the camps to address displaced persons.
Recall that the Monday flood which submerged almost half of Maiduguri city led to the loss of lives and properties.
So far the Borno Government has opened 36 camps to cater for thousands of displaced persons.
In the wake of Nigeria’s disappointing performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, former presidential candidate Peter Obi has called attention…