The Day My Mouth Was Left Agape at an Abeokuta Restaurant, By AbdurRaheem Sa’ad Dembo

The Day My Mouth Was Left Agape at an Abeokuta Restaurant, By AbdurRaheem Sa’ad Dembo

NEWS DIGEST – In June 2015, I was in Abeokuta on an official assignment, and my experience at a restaurant around Panseke has remained unforgettable. It was a day that left me speechless. As someone from Ilorin who lived in Kano throughout secondary school and university, I was unfamiliar with the lifestyles of young people in Southern Nigeria.

I entered the restaurant and ordered rice and beans with two pieces of meat. Shortly after, a group of young boys, stylishly dressed in polo shirts and three-quarter pants, walked in. One of them ordered three wraps of Amala with forty pieces of meat. Another asked for two wraps and thirty pieces of meat, and so on. They had brought large plates, almost like coolers. I was astonished; I had never seen anything like it.

While eating my meal, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Forty pieces of meat! That evening, I shared the strange experience with a colleague, who explained that those boys were “Yahoo boys”—a term for internet fraudsters. He detailed their operations, expressing concern over this troubling trend.

Later that year, I was in Ijebu-Ode on another assignment and stayed at a hotel. On a weekend, a group of boys arrived in an exotic car and requested continuous power supply for the night. They left early the next morning, and when I inquired about them, the receptionist confirmed they were Yahoo boys. He mentioned that the previous night they had consumed up to 50 pieces of ponmo (cow skin) while drinking alcohol, corroborating my experience in Abeokuta.

This piece isn’t just about my astonishment but also about the audacity of these young men who should be the nation’s pride. It’s important to note that Abeokuta is a vibrant city, with significant developments like expanded roads and bridges under former Governor Ibikunle Amosun. However, the prevalence of Yahoo boys is a growing issue across Nigeria.

As parents, we must instill moral values in our children to prevent them from straying. Providing for and monitoring our children is essential. Success in one’s career is often measured by the well-being of one’s children.

Causes of the Menace

Impatience: Today’s youth often seek shortcuts to wealth, believing in quick success through fraud.

Bad Parenting: Neglectful parenting can inadvertently foster criminal tendencies. Parents must provide for and guide their children, preventing outside influences from leading them astray. Early exposure to smartphones without proper supervision can also be detrimental.

Government Attitude: Government failure to provide jobs and a conducive environment for private sector growth contributes to this issue. While the government can’t employ everyone, it can create opportunities for employment.

Get-Rich-Quick Syndrome: The desire for immediate wealth leads many youths to fraud, disregarding the consequences.

Quest for Luxury and Freedom: The allure of luxury cars, mansions, and lavish lifestyles drives many into criminal activities.

Peer Group and Societal Pressure: Bad influences and societal pressures can push young men into fraudulent activities.

The National Assembly must address this threat with stringent legislation and ensure security agencies combat the menace effectively. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has made commendable efforts, but a proactive approach is necessary.

The Role of Good Parenting and National Orientation

Good parenting is crucial. Parents must invest time, care, and prayers into their children’s upbringing. Despite some parents’ best efforts, some children may still choose negative paths. Nonetheless, parental guidance remains vital.

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) should launch campaigns to dissuade youths from fraud and educate parents on their roles. These campaigns should highlight the fleeting nature of ill-gotten wealth and the value of honest living. Collaborations with other agencies to take this message to schools and communities are also essential.

Religious Leaders’ Role

Religious leaders must address this issue in their sermons, emphasizing the consequences of seeking quick riches and the virtues of honest work.

Yahoo Yahoo is more prevalent in certain regions, so targeted efforts by NOA and other stakeholders are needed to address this menace comprehensively. Collective action is required to safeguard our society.

A stitch in time saves nine.

abdurraheemsaaddembo@gmail.com