Nollywood, Social Media, and Prosperity Preaching: A Deadly Fuel for the Get-Rich-Quick Syndrome – Remi Tinubu
In a recent statement, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wife of Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, expressed her concerns regarding the increasing influence of certain cultural and social factors that have contributed to the rise of a dangerous mindset in Nigerian society—the get-rich-quick syndrome. Specifically, she highlighted the roles of Nollywood, social media, and prosperity preaching by religious institutions in perpetuating this destructive mentality, which, according to her, is also playing a significant part in Nigeria’s growing rate of human trafficking.
The First Lady made these remarks on February 7 when she met with the Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Binta Bello, and other senior members of the agency at the State House in Abuja. Mrs. Tinubu’s words come at a time when the Nigerian government and various non-governmental organizations are intensifying efforts to combat human trafficking, a crime that continues to plague the country with devastating consequences.
The Influence of Nollywood and Social Media
Nollywood, Nigeria’s thriving film industry, has been one of the biggest cultural exports of the country, contributing significantly to its global recognition. However, it is not without its controversies. While Nollywood movies often portray the beauty of Nigerian culture and provide much-needed entertainment, some films tend to romanticize the idea of instant wealth, glorifying characters who achieve success through unscrupulous means. These portrayals, while fictional, may unknowingly plant the seed of the get-rich-quick mentality in the minds of viewers, especially the youth.
Similarly, social media, with its instant access to vast amounts of information and content, plays a major role in shaping perceptions of success. Platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook are rife with influencers, celebrities, and entrepreneurs who flaunt their luxurious lifestyles, showcasing material possessions such as expensive cars, designer clothes, and exotic vacations. This often leads young people to believe that success and wealth can be acquired rapidly and without effort. Influencers and content creators who consistently display their wealth may unintentionally send the message that fast riches are the ultimate goal, further entrenching the notion that getting rich quickly is not only desirable but achievable.
Prosperity Preaching and Its Impact on Society
One of the more contentious points raised by Mrs. Tinubu is the influence of certain religious institutions, which have embraced prosperity preaching as part of their doctrine. Prosperity preaching, often characterized by the belief that faith in God will lead to material wealth and success, has become a popular but controversial movement in many Christian circles, particularly in Nigeria. Some pastors and religious leaders promote the idea that with enough faith, prayers, and donations to the church, individuals can experience rapid financial breakthroughs.
While there is nothing inherently wrong with encouraging faith and hope among believers, the focus on material wealth as a primary measure of success has been criticized for distorting the true teachings of many religions. The Bible, for example, teaches that hard work, patience, and humility are essential virtues, yet prosperity preaching often places an undue emphasis on financial success as the ultimate reward for one’s faith. This, Mrs. Tinubu argues, can mislead vulnerable individuals into prioritizing wealth over other important aspects of life, such as hard work, integrity, and community service.
The Link Between the Get-Rich-Quick Mentality and Human Trafficking
The consequences of this skewed perception of success are far-reaching, with one of the most alarming outcomes being the rising incidence of human trafficking. As youths in Nigeria and other parts of Africa see the promises of wealth through various shortcuts—whether through illicit business practices, criminal activities, or reliance on spiritual quick fixes—they become easy targets for traffickers. The traffickers, often using false promises of better lives abroad or opportunities for fame and fortune, prey on these vulnerable individuals.
Human trafficking in Nigeria has been a persistent issue, with many young people, particularly women and girls, being lured into exploitative situations under the guise of better opportunities. The recent raid on a baby factory in Abuja, where 19 pregnant girls were rescued, highlights the gravity of the problem. Many of these girls were likely manipulated by individuals promising them financial security or a way to escape poverty, only to be trapped in dangerous and degrading situations.
The link between the get-rich-quick mentality and trafficking is clear. When youths are conditioned to believe that wealth can be attained without effort, they are more likely to fall victim to traffickers who promise them easy routes to success. In turn, this creates a vicious cycle, where the desire for quick wealth leads to exploitation, making it even harder for these individuals to break free and build successful, legitimate lives.
Re-Orientation for Hard Work and Patience
In her statement, Mrs. Tinubu called for a national re-orientation that emphasizes the values of hard work, patience, and integrity. These values, she believes, should be instilled in the youth to counter the harmful effects of the get-rich-quick culture. She further expressed her support for the ongoing efforts of NAPTIP in tackling human trafficking and reaffirmed the importance of protecting the nation’s young people from the dangers of exploitation.
For Mrs. Tinubu, it is crucial for the youth to understand that success does not come overnight. Achieving true prosperity requires dedication, perseverance, and, above all, ethical practices. By embracing these principles, young people can be better equipped to navigate the challenges of life, make sound decisions, and build sustainable futures.
Mrs. Tinubu’s call for re-orientation is not just about teaching young people to be patient but also about fostering a culture that values skill development, entrepreneurship, and social responsibility. Instead of idolizing figures who flaunt wealth without context or regard for the means by which it was obtained, Nigerian youths should be encouraged to pursue education, vocational training, and business ventures that can provide lasting, legitimate success.
The Role of the Government, Religious Institutions, and Nollywood
To address the get-rich-quick syndrome effectively, it will take the collective efforts of various stakeholders, including the government, religious institutions, Nollywood, and civil society organizations.
1. Government:
The government has a vital role to play in combating human trafficking and promoting ethical behavior within society. Through policies and regulations, it can foster an environment that encourages transparency, accountability, and hard work. Furthermore, the government can work with organizations like NAPTIP to provide resources for victims of trafficking, offering them education and vocational training to help them rebuild their lives.
2. Religious Institutions:
Religious institutions must take responsibility for the messages they promote to their congregations. While it is important to inspire hope and encourage faith, religious leaders should also ensure that their teachings align with the values of integrity, hard work, and patience. Prosperity preaching, which prioritizes financial success over character development, needs to be re-evaluated in light of its potential harms. Religious leaders should work to promote a more balanced view of success that includes spiritual and moral growth, rather than just material gain.
3. Nollywood:
Nollywood, as one of the most influential cultural institutions in Nigeria, has the power to shape public perception. While many filmmakers are already engaging in important storytelling that highlights social issues, there is a need for more films that focus on the value of hard work, perseverance, and integrity. Nollywood should embrace its role as a social influencer and work to create content that encourages positive role models and teaches the youth about the importance of ethical success.
4. Civil Society Organizations and Media:
Civil society organizations and media outlets should partner with the government to raise awareness about the dangers of human trafficking and the false promises of the get-rich-quick mentality. They can also promote educational programs that teach young people about entrepreneurship, skills training, and financial literacy, equipping them with the tools to build legitimate and lasting careers.
Conclusion
The get-rich-quick syndrome is a serious issue that requires immediate and concerted action. Nollywood, social media, and religious institutions, while valuable in many ways, must be more responsible in the messages they send to the public. Prosperity preaching, the portrayal of instant wealth in movies, and the flaunting of luxury lifestyles on social media may be fueling a dangerous mindset among the youth. This, in turn, contributes to the rise in human trafficking as young people fall prey to traffickers who promise them quick paths to success.
As Senator Oluremi Tinubu rightly pointed out, the solution lies in promoting a culture of hard work, patience, and perseverance. By embracing these values, young people can be empowered to achieve success the right way—through education, skill development, and ethical business practices. It is time for Nigeria to shift away from the allure of instant wealth and focus on building a society where success is measured by integrity, effort, and social contribution. Only then can the cycle of exploitation, trafficking, and misguided aspirations be broken.
EXCERPT
Nollywood, social media, prosperity preaching by religious institutions fueling get-rich-quick syndrome ? Remi Tinubu
The wife of President Bola Tinubu, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has said skewed messages projected by some movies, social media and religious organisations are fueling the get-rich-quick syndrome which is also driving Nigeria’s high rate of trafficking in persons.Online movie streaming services
She stated this on Friday, February 7, when the Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) Binta Bello, led the top management of the agency to her office at the State House, Abuja.
Senior Special Assistant to the First Lady on Media, Busola Kukoyi, in a statement titled ‘First Lady reiterates call for re-orientation for hard work and patience’ said Mrs Tinubu also pledged her support to the agency’s ongoing fight against human trafficking.
The First Lady, who was briefed on the activities of the Agency, particularly the recent raid on a baby factory in Abuja, where 19 pregnant young girls were rescued, called on youths to stop making themselves easy targets for traffickers and other criminally minded people by embracing the virtues of patience and hard work.
“The get rich quick syndrome is not helping matters. Even our religious institutions are doing prosperity preaching and even the bible talks about work. Social media is also not helping. Nollywood as well,” the statement read.
Source: LIB
