The Irritation Of Begging For Alms

By Abdullahi Akintayo

Every man has the integrity to protect, but in the absence of basic needs for survival, man will bury his pride and ego, which will lead him to temporary or permanent begging. Analysis has revealed that poverty, unemployment, laziness and low mentality spread the practice of mendicancy.

Nigeria, at this present time, is facing two major problems which are non-circulation of wealth and high demand for foods and consumable goods. Unfortunately, the poor people are unable to satisfy their basic needs as a result of poverty and unemployment. With this, many individuals have no option than to take to begging to earn stipends for survival.

Almsgiving to the poor is considered a holy deed and an honourable act, as it is supported religiously to give alms to the poor. But begging has now become a profession since it does not require any physical or mental effort to get alms from the givers. Even though it is supported by some religions to give alms to the poor, religion does not make it compulsory for one to give. It is voluntary.

It is now becoming a trend, addiction and a way of life in all parts of the country, where it is a common scenario seeing young ones and grownups parading the streets, ATM stands, banks, markets, churches, mosques, car parks, bus-stops, event centres or any gathering. These are places where one will definitely come across one, two or more beggars, depending on the population.

The worrying aspect for some people is not the begging itself, but the manner of approach. Most beggars hide under the umbrella of unreasonable excuses. A lot of beggar disguise and present one form of deformity in order to extort people.

Disability does not compel one to beg. Regardless of the deformity, there is always ability in disability. A blind, deaf and dumb person can operate computer, cook and do different things within his or her capacity. It does not necessarily have to go on the street for begging. This could serve as a means of survival other than begging.

It is now irritating when beggars make one feel uncomfortable or displeased in order to please them. Different begging strategies have been adopted by beggars to get people’s attention as they come up with pitiable stories. Some have even adopted the corporate style of begging by dressing decently, tell stories and make prayers to make one feel sad for not giving. Children hawking on streets designed their own style of begging by narrating stories of how they misplaced money and the consequences, or “my mummy says I won’t eat if I don’t sell”.

At the initial stage, only disabled persons get involved in begging, but recently more able bodies have dominated the practice of begging. Although there are real beggars out who are really in need of help, with the alarming rate and increase in begging, everyone thinks most beggars hide under the umbrella of unreasonable excuses or laziness to work. Voluntary givers who want to give beggars know the point where beggars resume daily, prompt and punctual. Usually, a real beggar does not have a choice, they receive whatever one gives irrespective of the quantity or quality.

Unfortunately, many are agile beggars who are supposed to use their God-given strength, time and initiative to engage themselves in meaningful activities.

An act of begging cannot be fully eliminated but can be reduced. It is, therefore, necessary that the Federal, State and Local government to liaise with NGOs to put hands on the deck and carry out skill acquisition programmes to engage them in the productive venture. By doing so, beggars who voluntarily go into begging can be trained to be a better person. Also, the deformed individuals should be encouraged to engage in activities that could fetch them money.

It is on record that the government of Osun at a time declared an emergency on the destitute, by rehabilitating some of the beggars and reuniting them with their families, but a lot more need to be done. The task force should be created to arrest, prosecute pretending or lazy beggars and stiff penalties or sanctions should be imposed on them.