Criminality in Begging

ALARMING RATE OF CRIMINALITY IN BEGGING


The means through which the unhealthy poor masses or the handicapped live by the activity of asking other people for money or food has contributed immensely to the high level of corruption in Nigeria.

The main problem attached to this is that, it’s no longer practised by the people it’s meant for, rather it’s being practised by the healthy masses. The increase in the number of lazy bones in our society could be attributed to such ugly act because, healthy people that are meant to be occupied with many reasonable unskilled labours end-up as beggars due to hard times.

Many Nigerians disguise themselves pretending to be handicapped in order to earn for their living through begging. This is blasphemy! Sometimes I wonder if people still have some respect for their creator, or if they actually know that they were created by a certain supreme being. Even, in most cases, they leave their place of birth for elsewhere which may be located very far from their home, for the sake of recognition or any embarrassment that’s likely to arise.

One may ask if this country is dedicated to beggars because, even some of the healthy immigrants from the neighbouring countries trouped-in purposely for begging. On this note, I’ve started believing on one of the most popular philosophies that says, “Wonders shall never end!” We may even conclude that, if something drastic is not done to eradicate this demeaning act, we might wake-up one morning to see that the entire labour force in Nigeria had indulged in the menace.

Due to the above ridiculous act, begging can as well be referred to as one of the glaring handicaps to development, because most members of the productive class of the nation are into it. Believe me, the only way we could be productive and useful to this nation is by occupying our minds with what we can do for the nation, and not the reverse. By so doing, Nigeria would be rated as one of the most peaceful and God-fearing countries in the world. So let’s be productive instead of being destructive.

The handicapped could as well be productive if they can occupy their respective minds with the above statement. For instance, I was amazed the day I saw a man with only one arm mending foot wears in one of the federal polytechnics in the country. Besides, the famous sound producer and renowned musician, Steve Wonder, from the United States of America (U.S.A) is a blind man.

The aforementioned criminal act may be caused by misfortune, influence, or inadequate up-bringing of children. But above all, laziness ought to be held responsible as the major cause of the anomaly. Let’s ride on!

Someone may be influenced by his/her friend(s) to embark on begging by convincing him/her that, the business is more lucrative than any other business/venture one could lay his hands on, and it requires no capital. He/she will quickly join the chorus out of ignorance since it’s a capital-free venture and as well creates enormous income for the participants.

The entire members of a wretched home may embark on begging to seek for survival, due to lack of optimism. Also, some poor masses indulge in it because they think they are irrelevant and of no consequence in the society they belong.

If a child was born and bred up in a corrupt or indecent environment, he/she may decide going into begging because it requires no skill or capital, owing to the sense of reasoning of the people around him/her. This’s the reason a famous philosopher, Karl Marl of the blessed memory, says, “Environment determines the action of the mind.”

Laziness should be seen as the basic cause of this act because, those people would have considered doing any of the available unskilled labours within their respective societies (environments), but they intend not to struggle or do any stressful work to earn for their living.

The parents have a role to play here. They should endeavour to back-up their children’s up-bringing with sound religious background. They should from time-to-time ensure that, they feed them with strong religious/social quotations and statements that would encourage them to be ambitious, determined, and above all, optimistic irrespective of the circumstances they may be facing.

And to the people involved; please always dream of becoming a great man/woman in future because tomorrow may bring a total change in your life which might presently seem devastating. Take note of this; “Many are born great, many achieve greatness, whilst many have greatness entrusted upon them.” Thus, if you’re not born great, try to achieve it; but if you’re not equal to the task, always remember and ensure to have it at the back of your mind that, you might have greatness entrusted upon you. So never give up!

The existing Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) ought to constantly embark on massive seminars and workshops that would go a long way sensitizing the minds of the populace on the dangers of this barbaric attitude.

Above all, the concerned government authority should look into this overwhelming issue with the sole motive of eradicating the blasphemous act which is likely to pollute the mind of all the poor masses in near future. On this note, those who immigrated into the country with the aim of begging should be captured and deported to their respective countries of origin. This would help to minimize the level of corruption and human-trafficking on our roads.

Let’s come together and make Nigeria a better place to live. The criminals in question should also understand the fact that, ‘He who lives in a glass house doesn’t throw stone.” Think about it!

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FRED NWAOZOR

frednwaozor@gmail.com

twitter@fdnnwaozor