Earlier this year, I had a deep conversation with Chris, an electrician, after three weeks of tracking him to come and fix some electrical faults in my apartment. He alleged that throughout December 2024 he hadn’t had time for himself as he was handling one or two building projects. He alluded that the work was lucrative, but no one was willing to learn the trade as that would have afforded him the opportunity to accept more pending contracts.
The story of Chris is one out of many, as no young person is interested in learning any vocational works or the other, sadly, if nothing is done to change this ugly development, we may eventually be looking for expatriates who will handle our plumbing, mechanical, electrical, carpentry, and other related essential works in the coming years. The usual “boyi boyi” that Igbo traders are known for is gradually dying as young people are only moved by easy and quick money, no thanks to some Igbo billionaires and politicians who display unusual wealth on social media despite endemic poverty in the land.
‘Yahoo Yahoo’ is gradually becoming a norm as even parents see no need to reprimand their children when they enter into such an evil vice that kills productivity and the spirit of enterprise which is the bedrock of any economy.
There is nowhere in the world where money is earned by magic. Wealth is the process of creating value which appreciates over time, hence any wealth that is not created by addition of value cannot be sustained.
This is an existential crisis which requires the condemnation of all and sundry. As a society, we must begin to disdain those who make quick money through illegal means because they destroy the very fabric that keeps society moving. The attitude of such persons will sooner or later increase the crime rate in our society. Their actions, also make nonsense of those who legitimately work to earn a living as they can afford to buy anything at any price. One of the main reasons why most landlords in Igbo increase their rent almost yearly is because these “Yahoo boys” are willing to pay any amount of rent to the detriment of hardworking citizens.
Those who make quick money by not creating any value, merely over-stretch public infrastructure and cause a nuisance to society. They are bad examples of hardworking youths who aspire to be great by keeping the ancient landmarks.
Therefore, every progressive Igbo man should encourage what the government of Anambra State is doing to restore sanity by enacting a law against persons who may encourage folks to go the way of quick and unexplained money. This is the kind of law that all states in the South East must immediately adopt and domestic.
In addition to the law enacted by the government of Anambra State, the Legislators in the State East should be thinking of enacting “the unexplained wealth law”, people should be called to explain how they are able to make their money. This may reduce the frequency of kidnapping, organ harvesting and the like.
Above all, politicians must change their attitudes. You cannot lavish public resources in brazen manners and still have the moral rectitude to stand against persons who do like you. We all have the responsibility to bequeath to the next generation the old spirit of enterprise which the Igbo man has been known for over the years.
Roland Uwakwe C, Esq. is a lawyer and writes from Owerri, Imo State.
