Veteran Nollywood movie icon, Kanayo O Kanayo, well-known for portraying ritualistic characters in movies has warned youths against engaging in money rituals in a bit to make wealth.

Encouraging the Nigerian youths, he advocated for diligence and hard work in pursuing success in their respective endeavors.

Speaking at Ikenga Online’s November 2023 virtual Town Hall Meeting, on the topic “Rituals, Riches, and Realities: The Myths of Money-Making and the Dignity of Labour,” emphasized the lack of any connection between human sacrifices and acquiring wealth.

In his words, “These people (youths) have upped their ante and it is not about what they watch (movies). There is no truth to the fact that a man living in a thatched house will ask you to kill your girlfriend and sleep with her to make money.

“The Yahoo (scam) we knew many years ago was writing letters and promising deals that were utopian. We know many people who are in public office today who were part of it. I will not want to mention names.”

Addressing modern scams, he remarked, “The in-thing is Yahoo Promax, which involves killing someone, eating the heart of the person and washing it down with Hennessy, and the belief that you will make money. I can’t see any connection between that and making money. Money is made through hard work.”

Reflecting on his personal success story, Kanayo O Kanayo revealed building a mansion without resorting to sacrifices.

“I laid the foundation of my house in 2015, and in 2016, Globacom, owned by Mike Adenuga, signed me as one of those to be a part of a nationwide campaign it was holding,” he recounted.

Detailing the financial windfall from the campaign, he explained, “So, I made a lot of money and built my house. I can say I made a sacrifice to build that house because, at that time, I had the option of buying a brand new 2015 Range Rover. If I had bought it, today, I would have been seen as someone who was driving an old Range Rover.”

In choosing to invest in his home over a luxury car, he regarded it as a meaningful sacrifice for his long-term benefit.