Teacher commits suicide in Kogi State because she is owed salary arrears and cannot fend for her kids

NIGERIA'S ongoing economic crunch has unfortunately claimed a life in Kogi State as a teacher identified as Khadija Yusuf from Obangede in Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State committed suicide over her inability to cater for her children.

Like many other states in Nigeria, Kogi is owing its civil servants salary arrears and with the economic fallout that accompanied the coronavirus pandemic, things have got worse. States are heavily dependent on federal handouts to pat civil service salaries with most of them lacking any internal revenue, the reduction in their allowances as a result of the economic meltdown has caused widespread hardship.

Khadija, who was a secondary school teacher, reportedly took her life after getting depressed about her financial situation and the lack of money caused by the failure of the state government to pay her salaries. She allegedly committed suicide by jumping inside a well on World Teachers' Day, which is celebrated globally to honour teachers.

An eyewitness posted a message of Facebook, saying: "Your Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello, in this well is one of your dearest teachers you are celebrating today. She committed suicide a few days ago due to hunger and depression from lack of funds to feed and take care of her children.

"She is Mrs Yusuf Bosede Khadija, from Okuhapa Obangede in Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State. So many teachers and local government workers that don't have children to take care of them are dying on a daily basis, most of the news reports don't make it to the media because some people are so good at hiding the truth from the public.

"Sir, I don't have any personal issue with your person, I only wish that workers' welfare should be paramount instead of wasting resources on things that don't matter. So many people come to you with lies just to get favour, double-check information and do the right thing sir.

"The money they are making you to waste on presidential ambition is enough to take care of teachers and local government workers. Sir, we don't rule forever and we don't live forever. May Almighty Allah give you the wisdom to do the right thing. Governor Yahaya Bello, you are not doing well."