The Deadly Illusion of Quick Wealth and the Call for Reorientation
Charles Anyiam-Osigwe.
A recent revelation by Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has jolted the nation. In an emotional address, he disclosed that 22 of the 23 Nigerians currently on death row in Indonesia for drug trafficking are from Anambra State. Only one is from Edo.
Let that sink in.
Behind this shocking statistic lies a bigger story—a story of deception, broken dreams, and the dangerous illusions destroying the future of our youth.
False Promises, Fatal Consequences
Governor Soludo spoke with raw honesty: many of these youths were misled by native doctors who promised them magical charms—charms that would supposedly make drugs undetectable at airports. These spiritual fraudsters are now being arrested, some shamelessly claiming they were only “creating content” for social media.
But their lies have led to death sentences. Real people. Real lives. Real families.
“If someone truly has the power to make people rich, shouldn’t we all queue up—including me?”
— Gov. Soludo
The Rise of a Toxic Culture
From ritualists on TikTok to “Yahoo-plus” content creators on Instagram, a disturbing trend is sweeping through Nigerian youth culture: the glorification of fast wealth through fraud, drugs, and crime. And it’s not just online—it’s in the streets, music, schools, and even religious spaces.
We now live in a society where:
Success is defined by flashy cars, not hard work
Rituals are more popular than reading
Native doctors get more views than mentors
It’s not superstition. It’s a system of well-marketed lies, and our youths are the target audience.
A Generation Lost in Illusion
Many young Nigerians today battle with identity, purpose, and pressure. With unemployment, undereducation, and a lack of support, many are desperate. And in that desperation, they fall for the illusion:
That crime can be invisible
That money can be instant
That they can outsmart justice
But these are not just illusions. They are delusions—and deadly ones at that.
What Needs to Change: A Blueprint for Reorientation
Governor Soludo’s anger is not just political—it’s personal. It’s a wake-up call. Here’s how we move forward:
1. Truth-Based Campaigns
Expose the lies. Share the real stories of victims and ex-convicts. Use TV, radio, social media, and schools to tell the whole truth, not just inspirational quotes.
2. Value Re-Education
Introduce ethical and moral education in schools. Work with churches, mosques, and traditional leaders to rewire societal values from the roots.
3. Real Opportunities
Give our youth options: tech hubs, creative centers, agriculture, trades, and entrepreneurship programs. When doors are open, crime becomes less tempting.
Final Thoughts: From Illusion to Insight
This is not just about arrests. It’s about restoring hope. It’s about saving a generation.
We must stop clapping for fraudsters. We must stop following ritualists online. We must stop lying to our youth—through silence, through hypocrisy, through empty promises.
If we do not speak up and act now, the next headline could be even worse.
The time for reorientation is now. Before more dreams are buried in foreign prisons.
#TruthOverTragedy #YouthAwakening #EndTheIllusion