Business mogul and social media influencer, Laura Ikeji, has sparked conversations online with her recent message to Igbo men regarding how they show love and appreciation to their mothers.

In a heartfelt statement, Ikeji urged her Igbo brothers to prioritize gifting their mothers luxurious items while they are still alive rather than saving up exorbitant amounts to give them a grand burial when they pass away.

\"Today is Mother’s Day,\" she wrote, emphasizing the significance of the occasion. \"Spend that 1 billion naira you’re saving up for mama’s burial to buy her a tangible gift while she’s alive.\"

Her statement has since gone viral, with many Nigerians weighing in on the cultural and societal norms surrounding funeral expenses in Igbo land. Ikeji pointed out that it is quite paradoxical for a mother who has never owned a luxurious car or traveled abroad to be given a funeral worth hundreds of millions after her passing.

\"Buy her that Rolls-Royce, buy her that mansion,\" Ikeji implored, adding that spending money on a funeral that the deceased mother is not even present to witness is an unbalanced priority.

This sentiment is not new, as discussions about the financial implications of Igbo burials have been ongoing for years. It is a well-known tradition among the Igbo people to host elaborate funeral ceremonies, often with excessive spending on festivities, large feasts, traditional displays, and grand receptions. Some families even take on loans or sell off properties just to finance these burials.

The debate surrounding these extravagant ceremonies has persisted, with critics arguing that the money spent on burials could have been better utilized in improving the deceased’s quality of life while they were still alive.

Laura Ikeji’s statement seems to have struck a nerve, with many agreeing that prioritizing a mother\'s well-being while she is alive is far more valuable than a lavish send-off when she is no longer there to enjoy it.

\"We spend millions to buy gold caskets, rent expensive venues, and organize feasts for burials, but how much do we spend on our mothers while they are still with us?\" one social media user questioned.

Another echoed similar sentiments, stating, \"It’s heartbreaking that some mothers struggle through life, only to be given a royal burial they can’t even see.\"

However, there were also dissenting voices who argued that burials are an important cultural and spiritual practice in Igbo tradition. They believe that honoring the dead with an extravagant burial is a way to show respect and uphold family dignity.

\"For the Igbo man, burial is not just a ceremony; it is a rite of passage,\" one cultural analyst explained. \"It is a way of ensuring that our loved ones transition into the afterlife in a befitting manner.\"

Despite these arguments, the consensus remains that mothers deserve to be celebrated while they are still alive. Instead of waiting until death to shower them with extravagant spending, many believe it is better to give them a taste of luxury while they can still appreciate it.

Laura Ikeji’s message is a wake-up call to many, urging a shift in perspective. Rather than keeping wealth locked away for an eventual burial, she encourages people to invest in their mothers\' happiness while they are still around.

\"Give your mother her flowers now,\" she wrote. \"Not when she can’t see them.\"

This thought-provoking statement has continued to generate buzz across social media, with many sharing personal experiences of how their families prioritized funeral expenses over their parents\' well-being.

As the Mother’s Day celebration unfolds, Ikeji’s message serves as a reminder that love, appreciation, and financial investment in one’s parents should not be reserved for a funeral ceremony. Rather, they should be demonstrated in ways that allow mothers to feel loved and valued in their lifetime.

With this bold stance, Laura Ikeji has once again positioned herself as a voice challenging societal norms, urging a rethink of priorities and calling for a more meaningful way to express gratitude to mothers everywhere.