The time has come to speak frankly.
Visit construction sites across Igboland today and you will notice a troubling pattern: most of the artisans working there are not Ndi Igbo. Many come from other parts of Nigeria and even neighboring countries. Meanwhile, many young Igbo men stand aside, claiming there is “no money” in such work.
This is a dangerous illusion.
Daily pay for artisans now ranges between ₦15,000 and ₦30,000. Many work six days a week. A disciplined worker can save ₦60,000 to ₦100,000 weekly. How then can anyone say there is no money in honest labour?
What we are witnessing is a creeping spirit of laziness—something that was never part of our heritage.
Our fathers taught us: “Aka aja aja na-ebute ọnụ mmanụ mmanụ.” Diligent hands bring food to the mouth.
At the same time, greed is quietly eroding trust. Some engineers entrusted with clients’ project funds divert the money to build their own houses. As a result, many investors now seek professionals from outside Igboland.
Another troubling influence is the explosion of betting shops everywhere. Gambling has begun to replace hard work in the minds of many young people. But nobody has ever built a meaningful life through laziness. Gambling only deepens it.
Both laziness and greed now stand as threats to our collective future.
If we fail to correct these tendencies now, the consequences tomorrow may be disastrous. Igboland must rediscover the dignity of honest labour.
I expect this awareness to be shared across all community platforms. Let us rise and salvage our land.
Nze Ukwu Ugezu J. Ugezu Writes
Ayaka Igbo Gburugburu
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