Chairman of Cubana Group, Obi Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, says he does not have “soap” to cut for anyone.

Cubana, who made this known in an interview with BBC News Pidgin on Tuesday, advised youths to work hard and earn a better life.

“Soap” is a lingo used in Nigerian social circles to affirm the ritualistic tendencies among youths. In an era filled with quick-rich schemes, young people involved in fraud and other illegalities resort to charms to fortify their heinous trade. When the phrase, “cut soap for me” is used, the person who made the statement simply means: “show me the way to get rich” or “take me to a ritualist”.

The PUNCH had earlier reported that Cubana had an elaborate funeral for his mother. For days, he has been a social media sensation and the rave of the moment, especially with the ‘naira rain’ at the event in Oba, a town in the Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, last weekend. Several videos went viral that show celebrities, business people and politicians spray money indiscriminately during a concert held after the interment of the deceased.

Many youths have since flocked to social media to hail the nightclub boss asking him to “cut soap” for them.

Speaking during the interview, 46-year-old Cubana condemned money rituals and urged youths to work hard to make their money legitimately.

He also stressed his belief in the power of prayer, God, hard work and investment in quality circle of friends.

“We didn’t plan for one-fifth of the crowd at the funeral,” he said. “But see what happened at the burial. People have been saying that Obi Cubana has money, which money? They need to know people who have money in Anambra and in Nigeria. It is not about money but goodwill. What happened that day, money can’t buy it. See the mammoth crowd, yet nobody was raped, no car was stolen and no one was attacked. It can only be God.”

Cubana said he believes in fasting and prayer for spiritual fortification and not rituals. “I do pray before I leave the house. I pray because if you don’t pray your body will be naked and prone to different attacks,” he said.

Advising youths, he said, “If you are in your 20s, work now. I am 46 years (old), I have done my first half. I don’t know why someone who is just 20 years (old) will say he has not made it when he still has 50 years 60 years ahead.

“There is no soap to cut for anybody, there is no soap anywhere, work, pray, be good, make your own soap.”