Social commentator Oluwabusayomi Ezekiel has called on young people to reject drug trafficking and other illicit activities, urging them instead to pursue legitimate means of livelihood that promote dignity, integrity, and long-term success.
In a statement reflecting on recent reports of arrests, detentions, and deportations involving Africans in countries such as Ethiopia and elsewhere, Ezekiel said such incidents serve as a reminder of the consequences of building one’s future on criminal activities.
According to him, “When you build your life on the shifting sands of illicit activities, you are always one bad day away from losing everything.”
He warned that there is no lasting reward in pursuing quick wealth through crime, adding that “there is no glory in a fast life that ends in a prison cell or a shallow grave in a foreign country.”
To illustrate the value of honest labor, Ezekiel pointed to the example of a woman selling akara by the roadside in the early hours of the morning. He described her work as a symbol of entrepreneurship, resilience, and service to society.
“That akara business is not just flour and oil; it is the blueprint of sustainability. It is a business that relies on service, consistency, and integrity,” he said, noting that such ventures contribute positively to communities rather than exposing individuals to criminal prosecution.
Ezekiel also advocated what he described as a “serious cultural reset,” urging society to stop celebrating individuals who acquire wealth through questionable means and instead recognize those who build legitimate businesses through hard work.
He said honest enterprises—whether in street trading, technology, agriculture, or other lawful professions—deserve greater public admiration because they create lasting value and strengthen communities.
The commentator further argued that genuine wealth should not be measured solely by financial success but by one’s ability to live without fear of the law and to maintain a good reputation.
Addressing young people directly, Ezekiel cautioned against the temptation of taking shortcuts to success through drug trafficking, stressing that no financial reward is worth the legal, moral, and personal consequences.
“There is dignity in the grind, no matter how small you start. Choose the path that lets you sleep at night. Choose the path that makes your family proud,” he said.
He concluded by encouraging youths to build sustainable businesses and careers founded on honesty, integrity, and honor.
