By Emmanuel Imawiyisi Eghaghe
Binis no longer want to work for money and this is the major reason why Edo State is in the shadow of its glorious old days.
This was the contention of one of the high-ranking chiefs and the Iyase of Benin kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe, who declared that the Binis do not want to put in efforts for rewards, but would rather wait for and look forward to manna from heaven.
Chief Igbe, who made this clarification in an exclusive interview with CompassNG, in his GRA Benin City residence, faulted what he described as the laziness of an average Bini man; which he said is the barrier between opportunities and breakthrough, which in turn also have negative impacts on not only the immediate locality, but also on Edo State, Nigeria and the entire globe.
He said, “The era of self-deception should have been over by now, as it is time to face reality. Although, there is the saying ‘Edo ro dion,’ interpreted to mean ‘Edo is first,’ how true is this statement today and in what areas can it be affirmed true?
“When it could be said to be true was when people took the pains to work for it; which is an opposite of what is obtainable in Benin today. The question I ask any Bini man I come across is: what do you want to do? Each time I ask them, they do not give any response; unless it is just for them to get the money, which is wrong; because you have to think of how to live your own life which is rooted on working for money to live on.”
Reiterating that the issue of laziness of the Binis is a thorn in his flesh, Chief Igbe lamented the fact that Binis majorly complain of lack of opportunities; but at the same time refuse to even utilize the available few, made available by kind hearted men.
He added, “I have an empowerment institute with supports from some friends and concerned fellows, designed to train entrepreneurs for free. To my greatest surprise, I have come to realise in the course of time that the quota allotted to the Binis are never filled up by them, as other serious and hardworking people take over the slots after exhausting theirs.”
The Iyase of Benin therefore challenges the Binis in particular, and Edolites in general to stop being dependent on other people, but wake up and take decisions by themselves and for themselves; as well as learn to take risks.
He concluded, “There are gains in pains and the things I went through growing up are what made me whom I am today.”
