Celebrity businessman and nightlife king, Cubana Chief Priest, has fired back at billionaire industrialist Cosmas Maduka, following Maduka’s recent remarks condemning the popular slang “money na water.”
In a series of Instagram posts, the nightlife mogul, known for his lavish lifestyle and larger-than-life persona, defended the now-famous phrase, insisting it’s not vanity but a metaphor for abundance, liquidity, and flow.
“When I say ‘money na water,’ it’s not vanity, it’s a revelation of excess liquidity, abundance, and flow. Water moves; so does relevance, visibility, and influence”, Chief Priest wrote on his Instagram story.
He went further to lecture on the power of attention in today’s digital economy, adding that visibility has become the new oil field.
“The ability to attract attention and sustain engagement is the new oil field. A man with massive attention today has more leverage than one with quiet billions but no presence”, he added.
Taking a direct jab at the veteran businessman, Cubana Chief Priest boldly stated:
“You’re an Nnewi-list billionaire; remove yourself from the Otedola and Elumelu list.”
His statement comes after Cosmas Maduka, the founder of Coscharis Motors, reportedly criticized the “money na water” mindset, saying that “rich men don’t shout” and that no real businessman talks like that.
The exchange has since sparked heated reactions across social media, with fans divided between old-school business discipline and modern influencer-driven visibility.
While some praised Maduka for upholding traditional values of humility, others applauded Chief Priest’s defense, arguing that attention and relevance now drive influence and revenue in today’s digital economy.
As the online back-and-forth continues, one thing is certain; the conversation around money, influence, and visibility in Nigeria’s entertainment and business space has just been reignited.
