Tag: Fraud

Randoms

Of Scams that Seek the Unemployed

Jilomes

I once read a tweet that angrily demanded that the worst spaces in hell be reserved for those who fart in airplanes at high altitudes. If someone could be so disgusted about a natural phenomenon, imagine the anger when you see people prey on persons seeking jobs to earn a living. In a country with high unemployment levels, many persons are desperately seeking employment opportunities. Sadly, many fall prey to crooks whose job is to scam the jobless. The scammed are even the fortunate ones; some applicants are robbed, beaten, raped, or even killed.

Continue reading “Of Scams that Seek the Unemployed” →
Randoms

In Defence of Crooks

Jilomes

Last week, news filtered into social media networks about the arrests of some alleged “Yahoo Boys”—the Naija euphemism for a set of persons known to outsiders as internet fraudsters. I observed the hubbub and could not come to terms with a society where some citizens see Yahoo Boys as the 21st reincarnation of the English Robin Hood. Anyway, I tried to mind my business.  Continue reading “In Defence of Crooks” →

Politics

A Tale of a Corrupt Saint

Jilomes

What better quote to start this article than one by Vladimir Putin: “Those who fight corruption should be clean themselves.” In case you’re wondering if this was said by the famous (or infamous) Russian president, allow me to calm your nerves. Even I hoped this Putin is the Putin we love to hate, and alas he is the author of this starter quote. I think Putin preaching against corruption is like a beautiful oxymoron. That’s why this quote launches today’s article about Nigeria’s corrupt saint.  Continue reading “A Tale of a Corrupt Saint” →

Politics

Righteous Corruption

Jilomes

A 19th century English clergyman, Frederick Robertson, once said that “There are three things in the world that deserve no mercy: hypocrisy, fraud, and tyranny”. It is surprising that a Christian cleric would say something like that. However, we may never know what went on in his mind before he concluded that some persons were undeserving of even a tiny drop of mercy. Nigeria is in the midst of another budgeting process, and at least two of Frederick’s unpardonable sins are being blatantly committed. If Frederick the Annoyed were alive today, what would he say about the 2017 Federal Budget? Continue reading “Righteous Corruption” →

Randoms

MMM for Life: An Outsider’s View of Nigeria’s Fastest Growing Fad

Jilomes

This article is one result of not having lectures throughout an entire week. Maybe if my university’s authorities had fixed classes every single day, I would be worried about not collapsing, and won’t have time to dabble into popular issues in Nigeria. Now that you know what led to this article, let me say that I would try to be as objective as practicable in the adjoining lines. Unlike the biased Central Bank of Nigeria, and the extremists at the other end of the spectrum, here’s a projection of MMM’s viability by a not-too-biased sceptic. Read on and decide for yourself. Continue reading “MMM for Life: An Outsider’s View of Nigeria’s Fastest Growing Fad” →

Randoms

​Losers and Fraudulent Nairas

Jilomes

With the exception of societies that thrive on depravity, many “normal” societies try to enforce some form of ethical codes. These societies do not only put behavioural rules for their people; they put in place environments that engender such desired behaviour. Coming to the Nigerian society, we mouth mantras about good behaviour, but then go to great lengths to create an environment where defrauding one another seems best for business.  Continue reading “​Losers and Fraudulent Nairas” →