Beware: The Two Silent Killers of Greatness—Women and Wealth!
There are two forces that have silently wrecked the destinies of the mighty: women and money. Throughout history, countless gifted men have watched their glory fade and their talents wither—ensnared by the seductive pull of these twin temptations.
Take Ibadan, for example.
Once hailed as the Centre of Excellence and proudly revered as the political heartbeat of the South West, Ibadan was more than just a city—it was a symbol of power, pride, and prosperity.
Back in the day, the city was a glittering hub for multi-billionaires—men of class and calibre who stood as titans in commerce and politics. But what made Ibadan truly unique wasn’t just its wealth; it was the unbreakable bond among its indigenes. Brotherhood ran deep. Loyalty was sacred.
During Nigeria’s Second Republic, Ibadan sons weren’t sitting on the sidelines—they were frontline gladiators in the nation’s political arena. You’d find them rubbing shoulders and trading influence in the two dominant parties of the era: the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).
One of its sons became the most powerful chairman of the ruling party at the time.
He controlled the affairs of the party. He took many sons and daughters of Ibadanland to the center. He introduced businessmen and women from Ibadan to their counterparts from Eastern and Northern Nigeria.
They were respected. They were powerful. They were united.
But times have changed. And the lesson remains: be wary of women. Be cautious with money. These two have toppled kingdoms, ruined dynasties, and silenced the brightest stars—even in a city as great as Ibadan.
Mogaji Wole Arisekola writes from Ibadan.
