With ritual killings on the rise across the country, some young men in Lagos state gave an idea Friday of how much the pressure has contributed to the need to acquire wealth among them.
In separate interviews with the Nigerian News Agency in Lagos, some young people said the get-rich-quick syndrome affected them mentally.
Adrian Lawrence, a 23-year-old college student, told NAN that there has always been pressure on young people from generation to generation.
“The pressure is real, the need for comparison; I personally keep friends who share the same value as me; This is how we help each other, this is how I protect myself mentally, the fight is real.
“I think that for each generation they have a peculiarity that keeps them under pressure; For example, I believed in a generation that said that getting a scholarship to study abroad was fashionable, that’s progressive, but ours is not.
“With our generation, the craze for luxury and living an extravagant lifestyle is the pressure; now, unlike the old days, everyone is on everyone’s business thanks to social media, so it really is crazy,” he said.
Olatoun Ajibola, a 27-year-old graduate, told NAN that society had made it difficult for him because of the respect given to rich people in society.
“We love money so much, our society only respects the rich, even when the source of their wealth is questionable.
“When we as impressionable young people get to see that play out, he or she will go to great lengths to earn respect,” he said.
Read Also:
NAN reports that on February 4, four Nigerian men were charged with the murder of a 20-year-old woman in an alleged ritual murder case.
The men, who are between the ages of 18 and 20, were arrested on January 29 for allegedly killing Sofiat Kehinde and burning her head for ritual money purposes in the Oke Aregba area of Abeokuta, Ogun.
The deceased was reportedly dating one of the killers. Her boyfriend, Soliu Majekodunmi, lured her into her room, where they overpowered and killed her.
Some parents also attributed the rise in the search for young people to get rich quick to the high rate of poverty that has deeply corroded society.
Ms. Crystal Ejimbowu also said that the current economic state of the country makes it difficult for fathers to carry out their parental duties.
“Back in my day, going home with someone’s pen earned you a lot of punishment, but these days you see parents don’t question their kids when they bring home stuff you can’t afford.
“Some kids even buy cars and take them home, parents open their mouths to say ‘my pickin no be thief, na yahooboy’ (my son is not a thief, he’s a swindler).
“Poverty has made parents become slaves, their children at 20 years old are now the breadwinners of the family, it’s sad,” he said.
Mr. Salau Akinwunmi shared the same opinion; he urged parents to focus on raising children with the right morals for a better society.
“A better society starts with the family, we must do more as parents, money is not the most important thing, integrity is so underrated these days.
“Peer pressure is not new, but despite this, some kids have outdone themselves; we have to be intentional and devoted as parents,” she said. (
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
