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“We Didn’t Choose This Lifestyle; It Could Happen to Anyone—Beggars Urge Wike for Support Instead”
By
Jago
Beggars in Abuja are expressing worry about the recent order from Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, to apprehend those begging on the streets, as reported by PUNCH. Wike announced this initiative during a road construction event in Katampe District, stating that arrests would commence on Monday.Continue Reading>>>
He criticized the increasing number of beggars in the capital, labeling it an embarrassment and suggesting that some may be involved in criminal activities.The minister urged residents to move their family members who are begging to other locations, warning that the streets would soon be cleared of them.
His remarks have sparked concerns about the future of those who depend on begging for their livelihoods, especially given the harsh economic conditions in the country. Beggars are anxious about the absence of any clear plans to provide them with alternative sources of income. Many consider begging as their only option, a situation forced upon them by circumstances beyond their control, and they describe their daily experiences as filled with discrimination, often facing rejection in public spaces.
There is a prevalent fear that without the small amounts of money they earn from begging, their families may go hungry. Given the ongoing economic crisis, they feel they have limited options and have highlighted their skills and capabilities, calling for government assistance instead of punitive measures.Continue Reading>>>
One beggar said, “This situation I find myself in is not something I wanted. It can happen to anyone who is still alive. Some people see us coming and run away.”He added, “In public vehicles, nobody wants to sit close to us. You see, there are people who believe that just by interacting with me, they will become blind.
I can knit very well; don’t let my blindness fool you. The government should empower us instead of arresting and detaining us. Many of us have gifts,” he concluded.
