By Engr. Ikenna Okonkwo, FNSE, FNIEE, FNIMMME
There is a question that keeps coming up, often in whispers but sometimes loudly enough to stir debate.
Why do some Igbos indulge in such loud displays of wealth whenever they have something to celebrate? Someone recently remarked, “Why all the noise? Are they the only ones with money?”
Interestingly, this question came not from an outsider, but from a fellow Igbo man, addressing his own people.
Barrister Allen Onyema, the esteemed CEO of Air Peace, once said in an interview that our young Igbo men need to exercise restraint.
According to him, there is a worrying trend where, at the slightest financial success, some of our boys throw caution to the wind, flaunting their wealth with reckless abandon.
He warned that this habit of loud celebration, especially over minimal achievements, is counterproductive.
Some, however, argue in defence of the noise. They claim it is part of the business strategy, depending on the nature of the venture. In their view, a bit of spectacle attracts attention, which could be good for business.
But take a closer look at leaders like Onyema himself. No matter how much he earns, his focus remains on growing his airline, acquiring more Boeings and Airbuses, and expanding his fleet.
Every kobo counts, and every gain is reinvested, just as Aliko Dangote continually discovers new ventures and reinvests in his empire.
Dangote understands that if he slips, he could lose his number one spot in Africa, falling to second or even third place.
The same applies to global entrepreneurs like Elon Musk, who relentlessly push to maintain their leadership positions.
This raises an important question: is the so-called noise entirely negative? Are there businesses where a bit of noise is, in fact, beneficial?
After all, in industries like entertainment, showmanship is almost a requirement.
Yet, when taken too far, this culture of excessive display can become a breeding ground for unhealthy competition and, worse, can attract young people into fraudulent lifestyles, such as the infamous Yahoo Yahoo and Yahoo Plus.
What started as harmless celebration has, in some cases, evolved into a dangerous trend.
The pressure to “belong” forces many young men to chase quick wealth by any means, leading to moral decay and societal challenges.
Perhaps the balance lies somewhere in between. Celebrate your success, yes, but remember to stay grounded. Build wealth with purpose. Reinvest.
Grow sustainably. And above all, understand that true success is not measured by the noise you make but by the legacy you leave behind.
