Tag Archives: Culture

Adeolu Akinyemi
October 21, 2008

The Lure of Easy Money


One of the ills I see in our society is the elevated position money is given. Not money literally though, I don’t have an issue with people being awarded for making money, where I see a problem, is where money is celebrated in our society without any consideration to the source of the money. We celebrate wealth without paying attention to the values that created them – hence we celebrate thieves, fraudsters, and all forms of illegalities. It’s this same craze, that has gotten over our young ones and now, they have moved from online scams to daylight robbery to seeking the help of spirtualists in getting wealth.

I  heard a few stories lately that didn’t go down well with me, and I feel responsible to the public and my readers to educate, inspire and motivate our collectively pushing forward the right values. Money is good only when it’s source is good. Money is good only if gotten from means that add value to others. Good money must leave a value trail. On the surface level, what I just wrote sounds pretty simple, but it’s not.

Story 1.

This might sound to you like a Joke, but I heard it happened for real. A man calls his son, and has the following conversation with him

Father: My son, I have just decided to call you based on an issue that is really disturbing for me. My grandfather died a poor man, my father also was not rich. I am 65yrs old this year, and I’m not rich, you also are beginning to thread a similar path. My son, I don’t know the details of this business deal you are working on, but if by the end of this year, you don’t make money, please come and carry me and use me to do money! Please my son, somebody in our family must make this money! Continue reading →

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Adeolu Akinyemi
May 9, 2006

Roots


It’s often said, that the river that forgets its source will soon run dry. Every tree has its root, every river has a source. It is a bastard that uses his left hand to indicate the direction to his fathers house. These sayings are some of the proverbs that reveal the culture of a people, their values, belief systems, and essentially their way of life. Where are you from?

It’s so interesting to observe, that many African’s, and indeed Nigerians, either at home or abroad, have lost the sense of connection with their origins. Many years ago, many were carted away to occupy the vacancies for cheap labour that existed in the then developing world, they joined in adding their labour to the making of a developed society. For many of them it was painful, they resisted, they had little or no choice, like the spoils of war, like sheep led to the slaughter, they followed, enduring their cross with patience…and before you think too far, this is not about racism – there is nothing that has been done to the black man, that he did not do more to his kindred. It’s many years since then, and many African’s actually buy their own tickets and submit themselves once again, though in a more dignified way, to the development of other nations. Is it true that the prosperity of a river is sure for as long as it is conversant with it’s source? Are you in touch with your roots? Continue reading →

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