Cleric Warns as Suicide Cases Reportedly Rise Amid Economic Pressure

(Apostle John Okoriko. Photo by Daily Post)

The founder of Solid Rock Kingdom Church in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Apostle John Okoriko, has decried the high rate of suicide, especially among Christians in the country, urging them to desist from suicidal thoughts and other forms of self-destruction despite the prevailing economic hardship.

Okoriko stated this during the monthly interactive service in Uyo on Sunday.

The evangelist urged Nigerians to remain patient despite the prevailing harsh economic realities, emphasising that better days lie ahead.

According to him, many people rush to harm themselves over one issue or another, forgetting that tomorrow could be better and more rewarding.

“Many Christians today are committing suicide because of the harsh economic realities in the country. If you have Christ in you, you can negotiate all challenges of life and escape from it without harming yourself.

“People face challenges and still come out with testimony. Suicide becomes the next option because you can’t survive life’s challenges except you are in Christ,” Okoriko said.

Drawing from scripture, Okoriko recalled the biblical account of a jailer who was about to take his own life after discovering that Paul and Silas, in his custody, were on the verge of escaping from prison, only for Paul to warn him against harming himself.

He noted that the Roman authorities eventually discharged and acquitted Paul and Silas, adding that the jailer would have ended his life without waiting to see how the very accusers who imprisoned the men turned around to grant them their freedom.