Okowa Blames Get-rich-quick Syndrome For Rise In Cases Of Ritual Killings, Kidnappings In Nigeria

Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has traced increasing cases of ritual killings, kidnappings, advance fee fraud (popularly known as yahoo yahoo), violent crimes and even occultism in churches as well as official malfeasance to get-rich-quick syndrome among Nigerians.

According to him, compromise, covetousness and corruption are prevalent in Nigeria due to inordinate desire for wealth and material possessions by Nigerians.

The governor spoke on Sunday at the 1st session of the 15th Synod of the Asaba Diocese of the Anglican Communion held at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Ubulu-Okiti,  Aniocha South local government area of Delta State. 

Hear him: “the inordinate desire for wealth and material possessions inevitably results in compromise, covetousness and corruption; this is, perhaps, our greatest undoing as a nation today as people want to make money at all costs and the result is what we are seeing all around us – rise in cases of ritual killings, kidnappings, advance fee fraud (popularly known as yahoo yahoo), violent crimes and even occultism in churches.

“While God is committed to meeting our needs, it is also His will that we do not make making money our main pursuit in life; His command remains to seek His kingdom first and all other things will be added (Matthew 6:33),” he stated.”

He observed that the theme of the synod, “the pursuit of the vain and the evanescent,” addresses “the concerns of mortal beings that are daily caught in the dilemma of whether to pursue after that which is spiritual and, therefore, eternal or that which is material and, therefore, temporary.

Continuing, he said, “the choice is not often as easy as it may sound in a Sunday school class because out there in the real world things can get really sticky.

“Truth be told, we need many God-fearing leaders in all facets of our national life; men and women who will think less of themselves but more of the people that they have been called to serve, because, it is against the divine order for any leader to attempt to use his position to oppress and boss people around”.

The governor who was accompanied by a retinue of aides to the event said, “my advice is that we simply live our lives to worship, love, obey, trust God and leave the rest to Him.”

Earlier in a sermon, Rt. Rev. Markus Danbinta, Bishop, Diocese of Dutse, urged Christians to store their treasure in heaven rather than on earth, stating,  “your deeds here on earth is your treasure in heaven; the deeds of kindness done to the people in need are done for Christ and are treasures in heaven.

“We are so mindful of our own things; we don’t give much attention to other people which is not good and we should know that your character will also, determine if you will go to heaven or not; don’t be too attached to the world, see yourself as someone on pilgrimage on earth and aspire to make heaven with your deeds,” the Bishop said.