Opinion: "NWABOY" PRACTICE AMONGST IGBO BUSINESSMEN SHOULD BE SCRAPPED, By Barr. Adaobi Okwesi

Barr. Adaobi

By Barr. Adaobi Okwesi.
 
Personally, I am of the opinion that the "Nwaboy" practice amongst Igbo businessmen should be scrapped.
 
Longtime ago, it was a very useful practice. Back then, young boys didn't have "longer throat" like those of today. The vices amongst young 'nwaboy' back then was very minimal.
 
Those days, a young 'nwaboy' would just be interested in working hard and learning the trade. When it's time for "settlement", he would wholeheartedly collect whatever is given to him by his "oga", and then start his own business.

 In my opinion, because of their sincerity in service, God always blesses them extraordinarily when they start their own business.

Today, nwaboy's temptations are just too much. The society has too many things to tempt them. The fact that our society celebrates money more than they celebrate values and integrity has made matters worse.

Most of these greedy 'nwaboy' with longthroat, even if you settle them with 10million, they will squander it. If womanising doesn't help them squander it, alcohol and "big boy spending", will do it for them. Some end up just travelling outside the country just to do illegal business.

On the other hand, some "Ogas" are very wicked and heartless. They oppress the 'nwaboy' so much that he becomes rebellious and starts thinking of various ways to steal and make illegal gains. Some proprietors turn nwaboy practice into slavery, and this is wrong.

So, personally, I advocate that Igbo business men should scrap the practice and come up with another modern and Humane practice that can offer the proprietors the helping hands they need to grow their business, and also offer opportunities to young boys who need business/trade training and who don't have finance to start off after the training, to be trained and financed.

Ndi Igbo should mordernise the 'nwaboy' practice. It is outdated and has more negative effect on young boys. 

Note: "Nwaboy or Igba boy", is an Igbo term used when referring to apprenticeship.


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