RUN AWAY FROM QUICK WEALTH, IT IS A FOOLISH MAN'S DREAM

ambdavid (53)in #money • 6 years ago (edited)

...OF MMM, OTHER 'GET RICH QUICK' SCHEMES, AND THE PREVAILING MINDSET OF SOME NIGERIANS TO WEALTH.

In the twinkling of an eye , MMM, a Ponzi scheme that made its debut in Nigeria, raced towards the status of becoming the SECOND MOST POPULAR MESSAGE AFTER THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST.

Unconfirmed stats says at least 4 out of every ten Nigerians had heard of it while 2 have either tried it out, know someone who is making money from it, or still brooding over the idea of trying it out soon.

Now, the ease at which this scheme is catching on is a fitting testament to one thing - the prevailing perception of Nigerians to "making it in life".

Nigerians, nay Africans seem to suffer from an irredeemable obsession for getting rich within the snap of the fingers.

An average Nigerian will silently "pray" that he luckily picks up N50million on the road. Most young people in Nigeria dream of winning N100 million in football betting which has replaced the traditional coupon. Some ladies fantasize about landing rich spouses.

Many Nigerians pray to get into politics so they can partake in the embezzlement fest that has become a norm in this country.

And when wealth comes, THE AVERAGE NIGERIAN MUST FLAUNT IT.

In the equation of getting rich as put together by Nigerians, SLOW AND STEADY WORK IS NOT A VARIABLE. In that equation, "Now" (a notion of urgency) is MADE THE SUBJECT OF THE FORMULA.

This explains why the "business" of Religious Miracle Centers keep thriving. In fact, if churches were to be taxed, it would have been a huge contributor to the GDP of Nigeria.

You know, I have been asking myself: How come these get rich quick schemes are not very popular in more civilized countries? The only guess I have been able to hazard is that maybe, over there, their concept of success, and work is completely different from the one we hold as Nigerians.

Ask an "investor" in this MMM scheme why they are in the business even with the amplified warning issued by the Nigerian Security and Exchange Commission, and the investor will be quick to tell you that joining the scheme is his own shot at taking a risk.

Sometimes you don't want to blame Nigerians who fall for these scams waiting to happen, the leadership of the country they live in hasn't left them with much of a choice. Support systems that engender enterprise are nonexistent. The chances of failing in legit enterprises are higher than the chances of succeeding.

And so for many Nigerians, the only sources of wealth that beckons on them with arms outspread are PONZI SCHEMES, FERVENT PRAYERS FOR FINANCIAL MIRACLES AND EMBEZZLING MONEY FROM POLITICS.

And of course, all these are fitting narratives for these 'investors' on the notion of taking risk.