The Oba of Lagos, His Majesty Oba Rilwan Akiolu, has condemned the growing “get-rich-quick” mentality among Nigerian youths, urging them to embrace hard work and integrity. The monarch made this statement during a courtesy visit by senior officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to his palace on Tuesday.
Oba Akiolu emphasized that the obsession with wealth without effort or moral values was fueling cybercrime and other fraudulent activities, particularly among the youth. He cited both the Bible and the Quran, pointing out that they both discourage such behavior, which he believes is detrimental to society.
“The get-rich-quick syndrome is wrong and should be discouraged,” the monarch stated, adding that the quest for quick wealth without honest labour was leading young Nigerians into criminal activities like internet fraud.
In his remarks, Oba Akiolu urged the EFCC to remain steadfast in its efforts to restore Nigeria’s moral fabric, particularly by targeting the rising tide of cybercrime among youths. He expressed his full support for the EFCC’s work, pledging the collaboration of the traditional institution in combating corruption.
The Oba also highlighted the importance of tackling corruption in Nigeria, describing it as a collective national responsibility. He noted that defeating financial crimes required not just the strength of institutions but also strong leadership and the unity of the people.
He praised the EFCC for its commitment to fighting corruption, saying, “The fight against corruption is a task that demands the strength of institutions, the wisdom of leadership, and the unity of the people.”
Earlier, the EFCC’s acting director of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Ahmad Ghali, thanked the Oba for receiving the delegation and expressed his appreciation for the support of the traditional institution. Ghali briefed the Oba about the creation of the new EFCC Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, which is aimed at enhancing the commission’s capacity to fight economic and financial crimes in the region.
Ghali acknowledged the critical role that traditional rulers like Oba Akiolu play in shaping societal values and tackling criminality. He also shared the concerns of the EFCC regarding the rising number of internet fraud and land-related scams in the state, noting that the directorate was overwhelmed with intelligence on alleged youth involvement in cybercrime.
The EFCC directorate head appealed for the Oba’s support in the fight against fraud, saying, “Ka’biyesi, I am counting on your support because your voice is deeply respected and carries tremendous influence.” Ghali recognized the Oba as both a revered king and a retired law enforcement officer, emphasizing that his guidance could help navigate the complex landscape of economic crimes.
This visit highlights the important partnership between traditional leaders and law enforcement agencies in addressing the rise of economic and financial crimes in Nigeria. With the increasing challenges posed by internet fraud and land scams, the EFCC is calling for collaborative efforts from all sectors of society to curb these illegal activities.
Oba Akiolu’s firm stance against the “get-rich-quick” mentality serves as a reminder to Nigerian youths that success should be built on integrity and hard work, not fraud or shortcuts.
