Senator Rochas Okorocha, representing Imo West at the National Assembly, has called for the creation of a federal ministry of happiness to curtail the rising rate of suicide in Nigeria.
Mr Okorocha said on Tuesday during plenary that the rising rate of suicide was as a result of Nigerians being unhappy.
“Mr President, majority of Nigerians are not happy. Our nation is characterised with unhappiness…why would one want to take his life simply because he or she is tired of life? Many people commit suicide because they lack the ability to express themselves or to share their feelings with anybody,” he said.
Okorocha had in 2017 created Ministry of Happiness and Purpose Fulfilment in Imo State and appointed his sister, Ogechi Ololo, as the supervisory commissioner.
At the floor of the upper chambers on Tuesday, the senator said the ministry turned out to be the most effective of all ministries.
“I think a department should be created to look into this issue. When I did create the Ministry of Happiness, it was perhaps the most misunderstood but the most effective ministry in Imo State, to address issues of this nature.
“If our policies do not guarantee the happiness of people, then it is a failed policy. Allow me the next time (next legislative day) to present a motion on the urgent need to establish a department of happiness,” Okorocha said.
