By Emeka Chiaghanam
The fascination with sudden wealth has captivated many youths across Nigeria. This allure beckons them toward a relentless pursuit of imagined affluence; an Eldorado seen as an obligatory achievement. Such unbridled quests for wealth undermine the inherent socio-cultural values of Nigerian society.
However, this inordinate desire
for instant wealth has consequences. Beyond eroding esteemed values like
industriousness, honesty, and fear of God that is deeply embedded in our society,
young people engaged in unscrupulous practices suffer repercussions. Some have
even died or gone mad in the process.
Recently, during a casual
conversation I overheard, a 20-year-old man spoke passionately on the phone.
His story felt like a Nollywood movie, but it was real life. He urgently needed
to make quick money, insisting he must achieve significant success within the
next two or three years. The intensity of his urgency struck me, as if time
were running out. He influenced the person on the other end, polluting his mind
with the notion that success had to be swift, regardless of the means.
This conversation reflected a
distorted mindset that prioritizes accelerated financial success over ethical
values. This young man's perspective is not isolated. Among the Igbos, the
current mad quest for wealth reflects a trend that has seeped into the minds of
many youths, leading them away from the age-old values of 'igba mbo'; patience,
hard work, and gradual progress, ingrained in Igbo culture.
'Igba mbo' encourages a steady
journey toward success, but it is overshadowed by a frantic mindset that
disregards traditional values. The Igbo culture supports wealth creation
through doing things the right way, even if it means repeated effort. Unwritten
principles guide individuals on the path to wealth, weaving honour, dignity,
and success into valued Igbo culture.
There is nothing wrong with
acquiring wealth; Igbo culture promotes it. The republican nature of the Igbo
encourages young individuals to seek wealth through legal means. 'Igba mbo'
represents a pursuit not only for success but for honest wealth. Hence, there
is a push to start this journey early. Any young person who achieves success or
wealth early is acknowledged and honoured in Igboland. The saying "nwata
kwo aka, osolu okenye lie ni," meaning "A young individual who
dedicates themselves to hard work and achieves wealth will dine with the
elders," highlights the recognition bestowed upon those who create honest
wealth.
Before legal tender,
recognition manifested through farm produce or hunting proceeds, determining
one's influence. Most traditional Igbo titles, while associated with wealth,
reflected the values of our progenitors.
The arrival of Europeans
disrupted traditional means of earning a livelihood but did not truncate the
values of patience and hard work. It opened more doors for earning a decent
living. The Igbo man's dignified nature of growing into success continued with
the ‘Igba mbo’ philosophy. Those who embraced Western education found no shortcuts
to success, evident in the intellectual achievements of many Igbos like Nnamdi
Azikiwe, Chinua Achebe, and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
In traditional Igbo society,
the 'Igba mbo' philosophy is evident in the apprenticeship scheme, where a boy
learns a trade under a master for five to seven years before starting his own
enterprise. Many wealthy Igbo personalities rose through this scheme.
Today, patience for such
tutelage has vanished. The fabric of our society has been deeply affected, as
secondary school students no longer value education. Stories abound of students
involved in the 'Okeite' ritual or 'Yahoo Yahoo' syndrome, threatening 'Igba
mbo.'
The 'Okeite' rituals or 'Yahoo
Yahoo' symbolize wealth that comes quickly, akin to hitting a jackpot, achieved
through crooked means. They contradict the values of honesty and hard work. The
'Okeite ritual or Yahoo Plus syndrome' involves charms crafted by witch doctors
from various components, enforced with oath renewal.
These renewal rituals require
appeasement through animal or human blood. Neglecting them can have severe
consequences, risking one's sanity or the well-being of loved ones. Failure to
participate leaves individuals and future generations vulnerable to adverse
outcomes.
The 'Okeite' or 'Yahoo Yahoo'
syndrome evolved from scams that began in the mid-1990s, gaining momentum with
the internet and mobile technology. Yahoo Messenger, initially a networking
tool, soon became a platform for fraudulent activities. Many individuals
amassed sudden wealth, glamorizing the notion of instant riches without real
business foundations. The idea of “getting rich now or die trying” took root
among the youth.
As awareness of internet scams grew, anti-graft agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices & Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) intensified crackdowns, making 'Yahoo Yahoo' schemes less viable. This led some youth to a new crime known as 'Yahoo Plus,' involving rituals for success.
This shift in mindset has
deeper implications, affecting individuals and society, especially within Igbo
culture. The pursuit of immediate wealth risks replacing traditional values
with an emphasis on instant gratification, eroding the resilience, dignity, and
respect for heritage that have long defined Nigerian society.
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