We Should All Be Mama Chukwudi -By Zayd Ibn Isah

One of the shocking pieces of news circulating on social media lately involves a woman identified as Mama Chukwudi, who rejected a car gift from her undergraduate son. Her reason? She did not know the source of her son’s income.

Apparently, the young man bought the car as a surprise gift for his mother, intending to show her that she has arrived. Perhaps, he had always prayed to God Almighty to bless his hustle so he could reward his sweet mother for her sacrifices. Surprisingly, instead of jumping up with joy, shouting at the top of her voice so that the whole village could gather to see what the Lord had done for her through her son, and instead of asking Chukwudi to kneel down so she could pray for him for more blessings, Mama Chukwudi did the unusual thing by rejecting the car gift because she did not know where her son, whom she sent to school to study, got the money to buy her a brand new car.

Mama Chukwudi’s rare act of integrity won her praises from different angles, even though some people are of the opinion that she shouldn’t have rejected the car gift because it may be that the young man was into cryptocurrency trading or other online businesses, as we live in an era where people can make legit money from the comfort of their homes with smartphones and laptops. Even at that, the old woman reserves the right to question her son’s source of income. It may be that the boy explained how he made the money to his mother, but she was not convinced. I know of someone who claimed to be into online business, but it was later found out that he was into internet fraud.

Unfortunately, we live in a society of unexplained wealth, and the get-rich-quick syndrome has reached fever pitch, especially among the young generation. According to recent statistics by the police, thousands of undergraduates dabble in web fraud. As worrisome as this is, the societal disposition towards online fraud and unexplained wealth is even more disturbing. Nowadays, parents hardly question their children’s sources of income. This is accentuated by people who praise wealthy individuals and ask God when, as they go to do Dorime in clubs and other social gatherings.

This is all the more reason why we should celebrate Mama Chukwudi for setting a different standard at a time when mothers of yahoo boys are forming associations to protect their children’s interests. In an era where some parents pressure their children to emulate peers buying cars and building mansions for themselves and their parents, regardless of the source of their wealth, Mama Chukwudi becomes a compelling example of parental discipline and integrity worth emulating.

Mama Chukwudi’s refusal of the car gift gains even more significance if her son acquired the funds fraudulently. This experience could serve as a catalyst for him to reconsider his actions. To curb the societal eagerness for wealth, it’s crucial to encourage a culture that scrutinizes individuals’ income sources instead of celebrating them with honorary titles. Moreover, relieving children of the pressure to match their peers’ material success can contribute to a reduction in extreme measures for success. In revitalizing our society’s moral fabric, parents, as key influencers, play a pivotal role. Fostering an environment that values ethical pursuits over unchecked accumulation of riches is paramount.

Zayd Ibn Isah can reached at lawcadet1@gmail.com