Some residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed their views on fortune-telling as a way of life and getting assurances for better future.
The residents aired their beliefs on fortune-telling in separate interviews with in Abuja.
Fortune-telling is the practice of predicting information about a person’s life and its scope is identical with the practice of divination.
Many mysteries surround humans and one of the biggest secrets is what the future holds and fear of the unknown.
It is also because of the need to understand the future that people seek fortune-telling services to get an assurance of a better future.
Mr Ojima Okonkwo, resident of Gishiri Community, said some parents seek the services of a fortune-teller to know the reputation a child would bring to the family, saying “Parents would be more willing to invest in a child that has some fortune.”
Mr Ken Ayodele, a motorist, said lack of contentment prompts people to seek fortune-telling services.“It is because people are not okay with what God has given them, they want more,” he said.
Ayodele further said the effect of fortune-telling could be laziness, stating that one might get too comfortable and not work hard because they have been told that the future would be bright.
“It could engender enemity and disunity between people, make them live in fear, damage and leave them traumatized,” he said.
Ms Zainab Yakubu, a student who did not believe in fortune-telling, said that one might start believing the fortune-tellers and not God if things go well.
According to her, people tilted more towards whatever they found comfort in, whether good or bad, adding that fortune-telling is just like gambling, to win or lose.
“Everyone is afraid of the future and somehow, find comfort in predictions about it,” she said.
Mrs Angela Obiaku, a school teacher, believed that people seek fortune-telling services for solutions to problems and to know if they are on the right track.
According to her, due to untold hardships and life challenges, many tend to depend on fortune tellers to predict how they would survive or live their lives.
“Often, the fortune-telling never comes to pass, thereby prejudicing the plans and beliefs of the subject of the fortune-telling,” she said.
While some people believe that fortune-telling is not real, some believe it is cultural to them while others think the real fortune-tellers are Pastors and Imams.