FOR Mr. Johnson (not real name), the time was up. He must meet with God to clear contain grey areas in his life. He was determined to speak his mind, even if it meant sentencing him to hell. He thought of the easy way out. He remembered his grand-father had a dane gun. All he had to do was to buy bullets and gunpowder, put the lethal side on his throat and squeeze the trigger with his toe.

There was a thought. Suppose he did not die instantly? Suppose the gun refuse to fire because it was long it was used. He does not want to writh in pains. He must die instantly from the bullet wounds otherwise the whole exercise would be futility.

Johnson was doing well at school until he was implicated by a gang who specializes in stealing within the neighbourhood. He was expelled. He met his father who agreed to sell his house to sponsor Johnson to school abroad but he had not stepped into the country before he was hoarded into a waiting plane back to Nigeria. He was alleged to have fake papers. Another battle ensued. His brother who was Higher Executive Officer (HEO) in one of the ministries, sold his car and the proceeds was used in processing papers and tickets for Johnson’s return journey back abroad. Again, he was repatriated. That marked the beginning of sorrow for the once cheerful christian who decided to take his own life and show his frustration.

Since the gun plan could not work, Johnson opted for a new razor blade to out off his genitals and bleed to death thereafter. He had put a teenager in the family way which was the cause of his problem.

He took a little garri and groundnut and headed for a river in his village. On getting there, he said his last prayers and stripped. He told God he cannot remember the sins he committed that led to the legion of sorrow and pains. He also explained that he cannot bear the pains any longer hence his action which he pleaded with God to forgive him.

Johnson was in fathom pains. He brought out his manhood and placed a razor beside the rod.

His mind told him to do it once and forget the pains. The devil must have been fully present and as Johnson cut through his “local government headquarters” and severed the object from his body. He threw the ‘workman’ into the river and started bleeding. And that was when fishermen decided to pass through the path. They saw Johnson in his own pool of blood and rescued him.

Though the man did not like the action; he wanted death so that he can meet with his God and explain his failure here on earth.

Counsel by his captors prevented him from crossing to the other side.

As we read this, Johnson is in an hospital where he is receiving treatment. Nobody knows whether he will survive the ordeal nor are we sure he will not take other route to end his life.
Our counsel is that he comes to Edo State where a new beginning is attracting others who think the end of the world was here.

We have the people’s governor who is ready to listen and help those who need one.

We should not take our lives today because we failed yesterday. If we join hands together, we can reach the promise land. That is the message of the Comrade who is putting together a team of committed hands.