Veteran Nigerian actress Omotola Jalade Ekeinde has criticised what she described as the growing sense of entitlement in Nigerian society, expressing concern over the increasing culture of begging in the country.
Speaking on a recent episode of Activating Success With Love Idoko, the veteran actress said she neither supports nor encourages begging, except in life-and-death situations.
According to her, everyone has the ability to work, stressing that there is no reason anyone should be unable to earn a living.
She said, “A lot of Nigerians take opportunities for granted. And one thing we have to understand is that nobody owes you anything. Nigerians now have a culture of begging.
“I don’t support or encourage begging. I believe that there is no reason why anybody can’t work. There is something you can do. There is a kind of value you can bring to humanity.
“Everybody has needs, including me. There are some needs I have that if I was entitled I would go and beg certain people.
“So, don’t feel like because you don’t have money like me, you are the only one who has a reason to beg. At every level, we all have needs. But we are all struggling through it. Even if you have to beg, it should be a life-and-death situation.”
“Try as much as you can not to beg and be a nuisance. Begging reduces your own self-worth. If you must beg, let it be in a desperate situation. And don’t do it with entitlement.” Omotola added.