CURBING STREET BEGGING IN NIGERIA THROUGH EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMMES IS THE FOCUS OF TODAY’S VIEWPOINT
Street begging, once considered a rare occurrence and a last resort for survival, has now grown into a widespread social concern across Nigeria.
From bustling urban centres to remote communities, the sight of beggars, both young and old at public spaces has become a daily reality.
Sadly, this trend is no longer confined to streets or motor parks.
With the rise of technology and social media, begging has evolved.
Today, many Nigerians are increasingly confronted with digital alms solicitation, such as pleas for financial assistance flooding social platforms, often disguised as stories of hardship or urgent need.
While compassion should never be undermined, this rising culture of dependency calls for concern.
At the heart of the issue lie poverty, unemployment, and a weak social support system.
Many of those seen on the streets begging are children, the elderly and physically challenged people, who have been victims of a system that has failed to protect the vulnerable.
The lack of access to quality education, healthcare, and vocational training continues to push thousands into a cycle of dependency. Even more troubling is the increasing involvement of syndicates who exploit vulnerable individuals, especially children, for profit under the guise of begging.
Unfortunately, the digital form of begging, prevalent especially on social media, has added a new dimension to the problem.
This has equally blurred the line between genuine need and opportunism.
From social media posts asking for school fees or hospital bills, to unsolicited direct messages requesting urgent 2k, the culture of begging has adapted to the times.
Tackling street and online begging requires involving government policy, community participation, and individual responsibility.
Government at all levels must strengthen social welfare schemes to support the truly needy.
Programmes like conditional cash transfers, community health insurance, food banks, and elderly care services must be improved and expanded to people at the grassroots.
It is worthy to note that a functional welfare system will reduce the need for people to resort to public begging.
Also, there is a need for strict enforcement of laws against child labour, human trafficking, and the use of minors for alms begging.
Rehabilitation centres and skills acquisition programmes should be established and adequately funded in all states to engage able-bodied beggars and train them for self-reliance.
In addition, faith-based organisations and community leaders must step up their roles in discouraging begging within their communities.
Many religions preach compassion, but they also emphasise dignity of labour.
Instead of giving out tracts, these organisations can offer structured support like scholarships, business grants, or mentorship opportunities.
Also, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) must intensify efforts in public sensitisation campaigns to change the perception that begging is a viable means of livelihood.
Promoting stories of resilience, entrepreneurship, and transformation can inspire many to seek alternatives to begging.
On the part of social media users, it is important to adopt a culture of discernment and responsible giving.
While crowd funding platforms and donation drives have their place in emergencies, indiscriminate giving to unverifiable sources only fuels the problem.
Therefore, it is better to channel charity through trusted NGOS, local support groups, or community-based outreach programmes.
Most importantly, addressing street and digital begging must go hand-in-hand with economic revival.
Policies that support small and medium-scale businesses, agriculture, tech start-ups, and youth innovation will create jobs and reduce the desperation that drives many into begging.
In the end, the solution lies in collective effort.
Nigeria cannot continue to build a culture that rewards dependency at the expense of dignity and productivity.
Government officials, the masses, and traditional rulers work together to ensure that Nigeria’s streets and screens reflect a people empowered, not impoverished.
