Written by Prof. Mannixs E. Paul, PhD, FCFIP, FCIML, FCECFI, FFAR Let’s not pretend anymore—the “Yayo-Yayo” operation has become a full-blown crisis in our society. It’s not just about internet fraud or quick money schemes. It’s deeper than that. It reflects a broken system and a broken people caught in a cycle of survival, frustration, and lost values. Look around. So many young people seem to have nothing to do. There are no jobs, no real opportunities. Even those with degrees are sitting at home or doing work far below their qualifications. This country has made hardship and hopelessness normal, and in that frustration, many have turned to anything that can offer a glimpse of financial relief. This is where “Yayo-Yayo” comes in. It’s not just about laziness or greed. It’s a byproduct of redundancy, poverty, and disillusionment. But let’s be honest: what makes it even worse is how society now celebrates it. We see people flaunting money they can’t account for, glorifying lifestyles built on deceit. And instead of asking hard questions, we cheer, follow, and aspire. What happened to us? There was a time when hard work, honesty, and dedication meant something. People were proud to build slowly, follow, and way up. But now, it feels like you’re a failure if you’re not living large overnight. We’ve reached a point where people mock legitimate hustle and worship “easy money,” no matter how dirty it is. And the future? It looks terrible, honestly. We’re grooming a generation that sees crime as a career path. We’re raising kids who believe fraud is smart and dignity is foolish. If we keep going like this, we’ll end up with a society where nothing works—because everyone is out for themselves, and nobody believes in building anything real anymore. But it’s not too late. We can’t save everyone, but we can start by changing the conversation. Let’s reward hard work again. Let’s create jobs that give people dignity. Let’s call out fraud—not celebrate it. And most of all, let’s start telling the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. Yayo-Yayo didn’t start in a vacuum. It was born from pain, abandonment, and a system that stopped caring. But if we really want a better future, we need to care again—as individuals, communities, and a nation. The question is: are we ready?
Courtesy of MEFOUNDATION https://mefoundationaid.org/