TY  -  JOUR
AU  -  Innocent Aliama,
AU  -  Innocent Ifeanyichukwu Eke,
AU  -  Ndubuisi Joseph Nwanganga,
AU  -  Maduabuchi, Barnabas Nwafor,
AU  -  Janet Michael Nweke
AU  -  Uto Sunday Oduma
PY  -  2025/06/28
Y2  -  2025/08/09
TI  -  ‘Get-Rich-Quick’ Syndrome among Contemporary Youths of South-East, Nigeria: Insights from the Oke-ite Money Ritual Charms Saga  
JF  -  International Journal of Sub-Saharan African Research
JA  -  IJSSAR
VL  -  3
IS  -  2
SE  -  
DO  -  
UR  -  https://www.ijssar.com/paper/-get-rich-quick-syndrome-among-contemporary-youths-of-south-east-nigeria-insights-from-the-oke-ite-money-ritual-charms-saga
SP  -  373–386
AB  -  <strong>Background:</strong> The quest for quick wealth and material possessions has become a pervasive phenomenon among contemporary Igbo youths in South-East Nigeria. This phenomenon, popularly referred to as "quick money syndrome," has led many young people to engage in various forms of illicit and risky behaviours, including money ritual charms. One of the most notorious money ritual charms in Igboland is the "Oke-ite" charm. Oke-ite is believed to possess mystical powers that can instantly transform one's financial fortunes, but at a steep spiritual and moral cost. The charm is often associated with dark magic, human sacrifice, and other forms of malevolent practices. Despite the dangers and consequences associated with Oke-ite money ritual charm, many Igbo youths continue to seek it out as a means of achieving quick wealth and financial success. 
<br/><strong>Objective:</strong> This study investigated the key factors that predispose Igbo youths to patronizing Oke-ite money ritual and analyse the implications of this trend to the Igbo society.
<br/><strong>Method:</strong> The study adopted both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. The questionnaire was distributed to four hundred and fifty (450) respondents randomly selected from three states out of the five states in the South-East: Ebonyi, Enugu, and Anambra, respectively. Whereas, six (6) persons, two (2) from each State were interviewed using open-ended questions to support the quantitative data.
<br/><strong>Result:</strong> Findings show that contemporary Igbo youths in South-East indulge in the Oke-ite money ritual to make quick wealth and get recognized because of the importance attached to wealth and affluence in Igbo society. The study equally reviewed that Oke-ite money ritual has gross consequences, as failure to follow its rules can cause madness or the sudden death of the initiates. It is a negation of Igbo culture and a violation of the sanctity of human life because it routinely requires the sacrifices of some human parts.
<br/><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Oke-ite is foreign to Igbo culture. It is borrowed from Igala, Yoruba, and other neighbouring cultures. The youths who engage in the practice are between the ages of 18 and 30 years. Most of them are pushed into it by peer and family pressure, bad government, and poor parenting. 
Unique Contributions: The study provides valuable insights into the phenomenon of Oke-ite money ritual charm among Igbo youths in South-East Nigeria. It is hoped that this fresh insight will contribute to the development of effective strategies for addressing and preventing this practice, as well as promoting positive values and behaviours among Igbo youths.
<br/><strong>Key Recommendation:</strong> The paper recommends that parents should build their family values so as to educate their children on the danger of Oke-ite, whereas the government should revive the economic system and create employment opportunities to engage youths meaningfully.


ER  -