Aliko Dangote once said that the average young man today wants to achieve in three years what took him 30 years to build. This statement highlights the impatience and unrealistic expectations that many young people have today. Dangote had opportunities, worked hard, and built his wealth over decades, but today, many young men and women are deceived by the extravagant display of wealth by a few Nigerians.
The reality is that only about 6% of Nigerians have up to 500,000 naira in their accounts, and Nigeria remains the poverty capital of the world. Yet, we see young men flaunting expensive cars, gifting luxury items to their family members, and building houses in high-end areas like Banana Island. While success is good, no one should feel pressured into crime just to attain this level of wealth. Be patient with God and be patient with yourself.
Recently, a shocking case occurred in one of the western states. A 23-year-old man took his 9-year-old nephew to a herbalist for a money-making ritual. The herbalist, however, reported him to the police. Imagine the level of wickedness, insanity, and heartlessness in this act. At 23, I was still in medical school, studying and struggling to survive, yet some young people today are willing to sacrifice their own blood relatives for quick wealth.
Here are some key questions to ponder:
The Mercedes-Benz you want to buy—did the manufacturers perform rituals to establish their company?
The Toyota vehicle you dream of—was it created through occult practices?
Even Rolls-Royce, founded by Henry Royce—a devout Christian—was built through legitimate business.
The cement, roofing sheets, and rods used to build houses—were they made through human sacrifice?
Use your common sense. The industries that produce these luxury items are built by hardworking people, not by ritualists. Yet, in Nigeria, the obsession with overnight wealth is leading to an epidemic of criminality. There is a disturbing increase in young people attempting gruesome rituals—like removing their mother’s eyes—for wealth.
A father I know refused to enter the car his son bought because he suspected foul play. Instead, he went to the dedication service on his old motorbike. This is the kind of wisdom and caution we need today.
We must also acknowledge our role in creating this problem. My generation contributed to this decline by glorifying money and prioritizing wealth over values. This obsession with money has led to moral decay, and it must stop.
I am Dr. Charles Apoki.
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God bless you. Don’t be desperate.
