A wealthy man went recently to a mountain around his village in one Anambra State in the eastern part of Nigeria. He went out to have some quiet time and also some his usual prayer routine. He wasn't attending an event. He was there, taking a break unfortunately, he was abducted there. Just like that, It was reported that he doesn't go out without his security personnel, but just once he decided to have some quiet time of prayer, he was kidnapped.
Few days ago, he was reportedly released after his family paid a ransom for his freedom.
I don't know this man personally, but I kept thinking about his story. Maybe because it says something about having money here that we don't always talk about.
We all want money, we want to be comfortable. We want to live in a nice house, drive a good car, travel, eat what we like and be able to help our families. Nobody wants to spend their lives struggling to pay bills.
But then whenever I hear stories like this and I begin to look at wealth differently. Because here, having money can also mean being careful about being seen as wealthy. People may know where you live. They may know your car, may also know your business, your family members or even places you normally visit.
And to be honest, that can be scary.
Imagine working for years to build a comfortable life, only to realize that success has made you more noticeable.
I sometimes wonder about people who are wealthy but hardly show it. We might look at them and think they are being secretive. But perhaps they know something we don't. Maybe they understand that not everyone needs to know what they own. Not every new car needs to be posted. Not every house needs to be displayed. Not every business deal needs to become public knowledge.
It is sad that people have to think this way, but that is the reality we live with especially in this part of the world.
And then there is the family. People might say, "At least the family can afford the ransom," but money doesn't make the situation easy. Imagine getting a phone call that someone you love has been taken and knowing that the only thing standing between them and freedom may be money.
Imagine waiting. Imagine not knowing what condition they are in.
Imagine having the money but still being afraid.
That part is easy to forget when we look at wealthy people.
We see the cars. We don't always see the worries that may come with them.
I still want to make money. I want to be comfortable and have enough to take care of myself and the people I love.
But stories like this always remind me that wealth isn't about having more. Sometimes, it is also about knowing how to protect what you have and keeping parts of your life private.
Because in a place where being perceived as wealthy can make you vulnerable, maybe keeping a low profile isn't pride or pretense.
That is something people understand after they have seen what can happen to others. Money can change the way people look at you. Maybe it is common sense.
Image is ai generated
