GAMBLING TAKES OVER YOUTHFULNESS IN OBUDU

Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State is said to be occupied by activities of youths who involves in gambling also known as betting. Gambling in Obudu is widespread and practice by even children that are fed by their parents or guidance.

The activity is on the increase because of the awareness of football league matches ranging from premier league,Lali ga, Bundes Liga ,The Champions League and many other football league games. Bet started four years ago in Nigeria but just got to Obudu and has undoubtedly rooted into the hearts of many young ones following the establishment of bet outlets in the area that have gotten nicknames like "school" to confuse parents and significant others.

The arrival of gambling in Obudu has deviated the attention of students and skill workers from their studies and work as most of the time is spent in bet houses from time of opening to closure all through the week. The high patronage has resulted to the bet houses opening even on Sundays as offertory given to most are diverted to bet. The amount of betting was initially as low as hundred naira but sprung to two hundred with the intention to win hundred of thousands and millions depending on the points awarded to the selected teams.

Of recent an indigene of the area and a parent of four children threaten to disown his 14years old son after he used seventy thousand Naira to bet for Chelsea V Arsenal match played two weeks ago. The lady spoke "My son has disappointed me by this act, i sent him like a mother should to his trusted child to withdraw seventy thousand Naira for me to enable me host a meeting of friends, it was actually my salary. I got the alert but could not see my son after an hour,i was worried and began calling him on the phone but he told me he will soon be home. When he got home i asked where is my money ? He replied confidently that he used it to bet in order to get more money for me saying 'mumy chill'. That was when it occurred to me the school i have been hearing them mention is not what it is. It took the efforts of neighbors to safe me from killing him. That is how our children have gotten guts to bet with the money they can't earn."

The lady added that "when we got to the bet house,the manager told me the money is non refundable because its part of their policy. I left shamefully to my house."

Another indigene of the area expressed his view that "the arrival of bet houses was welcome because it will serve as an employment opportunity to Obudu indigenes but less did we know it will become a worrisome disappointment. Elders and especially youths queue up daily,some even abandon their place of work and fight among themselves there. The annoying aspect is that children who can't even earn money are daily customers of bet,where else do they get the money if not stealing from parents. Cyclist and other petty hustlers bet daily too going home with flat pockets. Despite all these engagement non of them have won they only come back with words like oh my game cut, some don't even know the teams,they just select randomly foolish. Gambling spirit is now resident in the head of many in Obudu."

An expert analysis cum observation shows that to win ten thousand naira from betting means you have spent closer to or more than the amount but its difficult to advise a gambler because they're like a girl in love. There's also an admiration of gambler faith as most intend to use two hundred naira to win millions of naira but its encoded with the fact that "if they don't make heaven there will be close to it."

Concern persons have pleaded for the initiation of regulations by the ruling  authority in the area and collaborate with this bet houses to ensure discipline else it could result to less productivity, more stealing or robbery to sustain betting.

MY NAME IS ZEDICUS PIRO AND YOU KNOW SAY WORDS NO BE PROBLEM.