Ilorin-based lawyer warns youths against desperation for quick wealth
An Ilorin-based legal practitioner, Azeez Abdullahi, has advised youths to embrace discipline and shun desperation for quick money.
Abdullahi, who gave the advice in Ilorin on Saturday in an interview with journalists, said youths were going to the extreme to make money, not minding the consequences.
According to him, most youths prefer the short cut to make money rather than embrace hard work and discipline.
“The youths don’t mind the consequence of their desperation for money. They only want the money at all costs.
“It is dangerous to indulge in money rituals or illegal business just to make money.
“The end of such a desperate act always results to regret and death. Stop copying fake life from social media,” he advised.
The lawyer also advised the government to always capture youths in their empowerment programmes.
He said that capturing the youth in empowerment programmes would reduce crime rate and encourage them to be patriotic.
Consequences
The pervasive desire among youth for rapid financial gain, often termed “quick money,” carries a multitude of negative consequences that can profoundly impact their personal development, societal integration, and long-term well-being.
This desperation frequently leads individuals to engage in risky and illicit activities, driven by the allure of immediate gratification and a perceived shortcut to wealth. For instance, involvement in criminal enterprises such as drug dealing, theft, or fraud offers the promise of substantial, albeit illegal, income, but simultaneously exposes youth to severe legal repercussions, including arrest, incarceration, and the lifelong stigma of a criminal record.
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Such activities not only jeopardize their freedom and future opportunities but also contribute to a cycle of violence and instability within communities. Furthermore, the pursuit of quick money can foster a distorted work ethic, where the value of sustained effort, education, and legitimate career progression is diminished. This can lead to a reluctance to engage in conventional employment, as the perceived slow pace of legitimate income generation pales in comparison to the immediate, albeit dangerous, returns of illicit ventures. The psychological toll of this desperation is also significant, often manifesting as heightened anxiety, stress, and a constant fear of detection or betrayal, eroding mental health and overall quality of life.
Beyond direct criminal involvement, the desperation for quick money can manifest in less overtly illegal but equally detrimental behaviors. Many young individuals fall prey to predatory schemes, such as pyramid schemes, online scams, or exploitative labor practices, which promise high returns with minimal effort but ultimately result in financial loss and disillusionment. These schemes often target vulnerable populations, including those with limited financial literacy or economic opportunities, exacerbating existing inequalities. The pursuit of quick money can also lead to a neglect of education and skill development. If immediate financial gain is prioritized above all else, young people may drop out of school, forgo higher education, or neglect vocational training, believing these long-term investments are unnecessary or too slow to yield results. This shortsightedness severely limits their future earning potential and career prospects, trapping them in low-wage jobs or perpetuating a cycle of economic instability. The erosion of traditional values such as patience, perseverance, and delayed gratification, replaced by an emphasis on instant wealth, undermines the foundations of personal responsibility and sustainable financial planning.
The societal ramifications of widespread youth desperation for quick money are equally concerning. A generation fixated on immediate financial gratification can contribute to a decline in social cohesion and trust. When individuals prioritize personal gain through illicit or exploitative means, it erodes the collective sense of fairness and justice, fostering cynicism and distrust in legitimate institutions. The prevalence of such behaviors can also strain public resources, as law enforcement agencies and social services are burdened with addressing the consequences of crime and economic instability.
Moreover, the normalization of “quick money” mentalities can perpetuate a culture of materialism and consumerism, where self-worth is increasingly tied to financial possessions rather than personal achievements or contributions to society. This can lead to increased social pressure, competition, and a sense of inadequacy among those who do not achieve rapid wealth, potentially fueling further desperation and risky behaviors. Ultimately, the unchecked desire for quick money among youth poses a significant threat to individual well-being, community safety, and the long-term health of society as a whole, necessitating comprehensive interventions that address both economic disparities and educational shortcomings.
