Mikel John Obi, the prominent Nigerian football player, has become the focal point of social media discussions following his candid remarks about the challenges posed by entitled family members who make incessant demands on individuals.
During an insightful interview with fellow footballer Rio Ferdinand, the former Super Eagles captain expressed his frustration with the prevalent expectation in Africa that individuals, especially those who have achieved financial success, should bear the financial burden of extended family members.
Mikel John Obi painted a vivid picture of the situation, highlighting how relatives and cousins often feel entitled to a person's earnings. He specifically pointed out the phenomenon where sisters marry men who perceive themselves as destined to be part of Mikel John Obi's prosperous family.
Mikel Obi, Nigerian footballer. Source: Google
Mikel Obi disclosed that these family members often expect financial support for numerous children, and he, as the successful individual, is pressured to fulfill these demands, sometimes at the expense of his own needs.
In his own words:
“When you come from Africa, when you make money, it’s not your money. You have all these relatives, cousins, and your sisters go off and get married to some guy who just wants to get married into Mikel John Obi’s family because his life is sorted, and then you start looking after this guy, and before you know it, they keep having so many kids and you look at it like, 'Okay, you’re having this many kids, who are going to look after them?’ It’s you! It’s the culture because, for them, you owe them that, so sometimes you have to be strong and say, ‘You know what, guys, enough is enough; I don’t care.’ They give you this thing whereby ‘if you don’t do it, we’re going to go to the press.’ After all, what have I done for you guys? But this happens a lot in Africa. Not everybody comes out and speaks about it.”
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