Many Nigerians have yet to come to
terms with what could have led a teenage undergraduate of Babcock
University, Verishima Unokyur, to take his own life, write GBENGA ADENIJI and MOTUNRAYO JOEL.
terms with what could have led a teenage undergraduate of Babcock
University, Verishima Unokyur, to take his own life, write GBENGA ADENIJI and MOTUNRAYO JOEL.
In what appeared as a clue to the
mystery surrounding the suicide act by a part-two student of Babcock
University, 19-year-old Verishima Unokyur, his mother, Patricia, on
Friday said her son couldn’t have done such to himself without external
influence.
mystery surrounding the suicide act by a part-two student of Babcock
University, 19-year-old Verishima Unokyur, his mother, Patricia, on
Friday said her son couldn’t have done such to himself without external
influence.
The mother, who was pensive and
heart-broken, told some sympathisers who came to console the family in
their home in Ewu Tuntun, Mafoluku Oshodi area of Lagos that her son
never gave her any trouble while alive.
heart-broken, told some sympathisers who came to console the family in
their home in Ewu Tuntun, Mafoluku Oshodi area of Lagos that her son
never gave her any trouble while alive.
She also disclosed her notice of his extremely reserved and shy nature which gave her concern.
She said sadly, ‘‘Why would my dear son
commit suicide? He cannot do that. I know him. He was manipulated and
God will fight for us. I will forever love my son. I know he was too
reserved. I forced him to talk to me. I asked him if he was facing any
threats anywhere or he didn’t like the school he was attending but he
said no. Since he entered the university, his reserved nature got worse.
He was neat and obedient. He is a son I wish to have again and again.’’
commit suicide? He cannot do that. I know him. He was manipulated and
God will fight for us. I will forever love my son. I know he was too
reserved. I forced him to talk to me. I asked him if he was facing any
threats anywhere or he didn’t like the school he was attending but he
said no. Since he entered the university, his reserved nature got worse.
He was neat and obedient. He is a son I wish to have again and again.’’
Verishima, who hailed from Benue State
and was studying Social Work at Babcock, committed suicide in their
apartment after the New Year when his mother, who works with the Federal
Airports Authority of Nigeria, was away on night duty and his younger
brother, Asor, was asleep.
and was studying Social Work at Babcock, committed suicide in their
apartment after the New Year when his mother, who works with the Federal
Airports Authority of Nigeria, was away on night duty and his younger
brother, Asor, was asleep.
SUNDAY PUNCH learnt that the
deceased’s mother is a widow who has not remarried since the demise of
her husband about 15 years ago but dedicates her time to the care of her
two boys.
deceased’s mother is a widow who has not remarried since the demise of
her husband about 15 years ago but dedicates her time to the care of her
two boys.
A source close to the family who refused
to be named said the woman created time for her kids by taking them out
most times and also frequently visited Verishima in school.
to be named said the woman created time for her kids by taking them out
most times and also frequently visited Verishima in school.
“Their mother is a very wonderful
person. She gave up everything for the joy and comfort of her boys after
the death of their father. She ensured that the boys lacked nothing.
One would think Verishima was the son of a king because there was
nothing he needed that he did not get. She also gave them attention,
always ready to talk with them to know what was worrying them at
anytime. She is a great woman and an amazing mother. Only God knows what
went wrong because this woman did her best for her late son,” he said.
person. She gave up everything for the joy and comfort of her boys after
the death of their father. She ensured that the boys lacked nothing.
One would think Verishima was the son of a king because there was
nothing he needed that he did not get. She also gave them attention,
always ready to talk with them to know what was worrying them at
anytime. She is a great woman and an amazing mother. Only God knows what
went wrong because this woman did her best for her late son,” he said.
Sources told SUNDAY PUNCH that
prior to the suicide act, the teenager had a wonderful New Year
celebration with his family members. It was also learnt that he ate to
his satisfaction on that day without giving any inkling that he would
soon depart from the family.
prior to the suicide act, the teenager had a wonderful New Year
celebration with his family members. It was also learnt that he ate to
his satisfaction on that day without giving any inkling that he would
soon depart from the family.
Besides, it was gathered that the deceased was an usher in the pentecostal church which the family attends.