I was disturbed watching videos of a young man dressed in designer outfits, adorned with expensive wristwatches and shoes, displaying bags of costly perfumes, and being chauffeured around in flashy vehicles. His entourage includes a motley crew of well-armed bodyguards with sophisticated weapons, attendants, allies, and hangers-on, whether striding with him in processions or moving…
What I found deeply disturbing was that this individual, who goes by the name Abba Yusuf Bichi, is a Nigerian. Yet, with more than two million followers on social media, he remains largely unknown among the hardworking Nigerian businessmen and multimillionaires who could afford such a life of extravagant opulence.
In a foreword to a book on the legacy of Yusuf Bichi, Nwaoduah wrote: “The personality in whose honour this collection was put together is not used to being celebrated. If anything, he would be embarrassed, if not blushing! Bichi is known to be taciturn, even indifferent and shy to take credit for the numerous services rendered to the nation.”
One may wonder about the real background of the young Abba Yusuf Bichi. And while his means of livelihood remain shrouded in mystery, he maintains predictable routines. He boasts an ostentatious attitude akin to Yahoo Yahoo boys, who expose themselves easily to security scrutiny and public irritation, often leading them to hire legions of security agents for protection as they embark on their various acts of ridiculous and conspicuous material exhibitions and consumption.
To stem the tide of reckless wealth flaunting, responses like those recently taken against naira abusers should be activated. Relevant law enforcement bodies, including anti-corruption and revenue agencies, should scour social media accounts to find many who might be engaged in opulent displays, verify their sources of income and tax compliance, etc., and ascertain their social rectitude. Prosecution should follow where necessary.
The Nigerian Navy Firemen, a sub-unit of Naval Headquarters Garki Abuja have helped to avert a huge inferno that would have triggered collateral loss. The navy firemen were called to action and helped avert what would have been a massive inferno at the popular UTC Shopping Plaza in Garki, according to Navy spokesman, Commodore…