‘Don’t Beg With Entitlement’ – Omotola Jalade Advises Nigerians
Kehinde Adeleye
Veteran Nigerian actress Omotola Jalade Ekeinde has criticised what she described as an entitlement mentality among Nigerians, saying the country has developed a culture of begging.
The actress shared her views during a recent episode of Activating Success With Love Idoko, where she said she neither supports nor encourages begging except in desperate, life-threatening situations.
Omotola argued that everyone has something valuable to offer and should explore available opportunities to work rather than feel entitled to financial assistance from others.
“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,” she said.
The actress acknowledged that everyone has needs, regardless of their financial status, but said personal challenges should not automatically become a reason to seek assistance from others.
“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,” she stated.
She added that she also had needs but did not believe that having financial difficulties gave anyone an automatic right to demand help from others.
“Everybody has needs, including me. There are some needs I have that if I was entitled I would go and beg certain people,” she said.
Omotola further explained that people at different levels of society face challenges and must find ways to manage their circumstances.
“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,” she added.
The actress also urged Nigerians to avoid making begging a habit, warning that it could affect their sense of self-worth, particularly when accompanied by an attitude of entitlement.
“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,” she said.
Her comments have drawn attention to discussions around personal responsibility, economic hardship and the growing reliance on financial assistance in Nigerian society.
