Abdulhakeem F.akinola
20 July 2008
Lagos — It was screams by people near the road at Pen Cinema area of Agege, Lagos that saved the life of the cripple beggar on roller-skate. He was one of the so many beggars who invaded Lagos in search of greener pastures.
They risk their lives by moving in-between vehicles in traffic jam begging for alms.
A driver who wished to change lane in a jiffy nearly crushed one of the three beggars who were moving in-between long queues of cars at about 2:00pm penultimate Tuesday.
Despite Lagos State government's threat of one-month imprisonment for violators of Don't Give Alms to Beggars order handed down a few months ago, it is obvious that those behind alms begging in Lagos are not moved by the order. As a result, the number of the beggars grows in Lagos. The destitute, including their children are desperate looking for alms on the major roads and railway crossings.
Beggars on roller-skates always stretch to catch attention of motorists.In Ojota, Maryland-Ikeja axis, Oshodi-Oke, Agege and the railway crossing in Mushin, Yaba, Agege and other areas where traffic slows down, these physically and visually challenged run the risk of their lives in order to eke a living daily.
In a similar situation are the kids of the beggars. In their ever increasing number, these kids are everywhere.
At open places, streets, markets, garages, bus stops, they are there sometimes in groups. Of equal concern is their activities, which some concerned residents consider inimical to their overall development.
Some of the female beggars carry babies. Some of these babies are less than six months old. Some of the destitute are nursing twins who they often bring to the road side as early as 7:00am to beg for alms.Nobody knows how they got pregnant or how they got ante-natal care.
There are different kinds of beggars. For instance, there was this tall light-complexioned young woman who engaged in alms begging in more attractive manner. She had a young boy of about 13 that led her around Lagos Island. She used to hold a tambourine in one hand, with a baby strapped to her back.
The blind woman used to attract passers-by and motorists mostly at T-junction with various Christian songs. She seemed to have practised the songs well that she usually appealled to any listener. Many could not resist dipping their hands in to their pockets and giving her something to keep herself and baby alive.
Perhaps her melodious song or the baby on her back was her charm. When she sang non-stop, there used to be naira rain for her. Everyone around would want to give out something, even those in a moving cars or buses used to throw naira out of the window for her.
As people supported the woman, two male beggars moved near her position, believing that the naira rain could as well be extended to them. They rushed in hollering Fisebililah! Fisebililahi! Fisebililahi! But only one man offered them a N10 note telling the two to share it. Before they could start hollering the tune again, the traffic light on their side had shown green for the vehicles to move.
More creative band of beggars who are from the eastern part of the country always appears in uniform of blue and white. They are known for producing heavy percussion accompanied by clapping and smooth flowing of Christian songs.
In return, not only do they get money in abundance, they also produce an array of cheerful givers.
It is said that there are syndicates that specialise in recruiting handicapped Nigerians from villages and towns and bringing them to Lagos purposely for alms begging.
Unfortunately, the state ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development that is responsible for clearing beggars from major roads seems to have been overwhelmed by the ever surging beggars. A source in the ministry told Oodua Trust that the ministry was more concerned with sports development than pursuing beggars along the roads.
It is said that some of the beggars with deformities like those with chopped hands/arms would not go back to places they migrated from because they once committed crime. These beggars run after cars and buses in motion while soliciting for alms in the most precarious manner.
It was also discovered that there are fake deformed beggars in Lagos. Women could be seen laying bare their corroded breasts by fire, chemicals or accident. There are men too who display enlarged scrotal sacs in the middle of highway.
Recruitment of beggars has continued unabated. It was learnt that teams of recruit officers were being sent by members of the syndicate to the North, East and the South-West of the country to scout for new beggars. Begging has becoming a big business in Lagos, an observer noted.
Olayiwola Samson, an okada rider said the state government should allocate more funds for the rehabilitation of the destitute. "They're also Nigerians," he said. He however called on the federal government to find solution to the high level of unemployment and poverty in the land so that begging could be discouraged.
Similarly, to prevent turning Lagos to beggars domain, Chief Amuda Tajudden, a politician said the federal government needs to tackle the social problems facing the nation from the source. He noted that Lagos cannot escape of the invasion of various handicapped Nigerians in search of means of survival saying, "Lagos is home for everybody. It is the only place in the country where the indigenes are friendly, so every one is rushing to Lagos said to be Centre-of-Excellence."
It may be on this premise that the Lagos State ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development recently asked corporate entities, philanthropists and multi-national corporations to come to its aid regarding rehabilitation of beggars removed from the streets.
The ministry, while highlighting its efforts towards making the streets free of destitute said it had committed a lot of money to its 11 rehabilitation centers scattered across the state.
Piqued by the increase of beggars on the streets, the state government parleyed with the State House of Assembly and came up with a law, which not only banned alms begging, but also prescribed one month imprisonment for whosoever sees himself or herself as a "good Samaritan" caught giving alms to beggars.
Findings among members of the public revealed that not many a residents of Lagos are aware of the legislation. Thus, those who knew of the law are taking solace in the fact that at least, the law is not being enforced yet.
Some have attacked the state government on the issue on what they said it is law against the fundamental tenet of both Moslems and Christians which is to assist the less privileged in the society.
Alhaji Abiodun Ajakaiye responded thus: "Look, my brother, I'm a devout Muslim. I don't see anything wrong in giving alms. These beggars do not force anyone to give them money."
Mrs. Julianah Famoroti, a women leader in one of the Pentecostal churches in Ikeja said God supported the act of assisting the poor. She asked the state government to find a means of rehabilitating genuine beggars and punish the fake ones saying, "The law made against beggars in Lagos should be for those who fake deformity in any way and those who have taken to recruiting people for begging business."
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