The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has spoken out in defense of a cultural practice prevalent among the Yoruba and Igbo communities—spraying money at celebratory events. Oba Akanbi emphasized that this tradition, deeply rooted in cultural spirit, compels individuals to display exuberant generosity during joyous occasions.
In a statement issued by his press secretary, Alli Ibrahim, the Oluwo of Iwoland criticized the recent actions of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) targeting individuals who abuse the naira, describing it as a misdirected focus.
“The recent litigations by the EFCC against naira abuse is a misplaced priority,” the statement reads. “The practice of spraying money is more cultural for the Yorubas and Igbos.”
Daily Post reported that Oba Akanbi urged the EFCC to prioritize public enlightenment campaigns about responsible naira handling before imposing penalties on offenders. He highlighted the need for Nigerians to have a clear understanding of the potential consequences of naira abuse, suggesting that this knowledge would naturally temper the cultural inclination towards lavish spending.
“There is a cultural spirit in Yoruba that forces you to spend money uncontrollably at your exciting moment,” Oba Akanbi stated. “I’m sure the spirit will be tamed when people have public knowledge of possible penalties for naira abuse. The commission should not place the cart before the horse.”
Leave a Comment