In this report, MICHAEL BABATUNDE and VINCENT KURAUN speak with beggars on why they have taken to the business of alms begging and their experience as a result of the current hardship experienced in the country.
There is no doubt the fact that Nigerians are still devising means of surviving the present harsh economic realities that have characterised the country. As of today, many reportedly have cut down on their expenses and set priorities amid obligations so as to stay afloat in this time of crisis.
Cost of living they say is now at the cost of the living. Just as the economic crisis continues to hit citizens below the belt, beggars, mainly positioned at entrances of banks, eateries, malls, junctions and even parks, equally bear the brunt of the harsh economy.
While many are still trying to find their feet, others have since turned to begging as a means of getting more revenue. Corroborating this, a September 2023 report by Business Day highlighted a sharp increase in the number of beggars owing to the inflationary trend of the economy and declining purchasing power, adding that people are no longer ashamed to beg for alms.
A statement by Azuka Onwuka in his July 2023 column puts it in perspective. “The only difference is the type of begging and the target of the begging. Those who are at the top of the ladder get begged by those who are under them and the chain continues downwards.”
Today, many beggars are now at the mercy of good Samaritans who now go about their businesses and are not bothered by the beggars’ pleas for alms.
Those who spoke with Sunday Tribune disclosed that people who used to be nice to them are no longer nice. They noted that the economic hardship has chased many benefactors away from them.
Ibrahim Musa, who appears to be in his 60s, told Sunday Tribune he is not begging to survive, but has taken begging as a full-time business.
“I have my own house. I have my own wives and children. I was cattle rarer before coming to the West. Begging seems more profitable and without stress compared to having to look after my cattle. Some of the proceeds from begging for alms goes into what I use to take care of my family and my cattle business.
“The economy has affected my business because our income drops daily. I believe this is because of the present state of the economy. It looks like people just drop the useless denominations like N5 and N10 on us. People used to give us N1,000 notes but I haven’t even seen N200 note in three months now,” Musa recounted.
“Every penny counts, I am a pensioner who was abandoned by my own child. My wife is late, so it’s just me at home. I go about daily begging just to put food on my table. I don’t have a phone. It is just to go about my day anywhere. I could afford the next day’s three meals from whatever proceeds I get in a day. But now, I remain grateful if at least a meal is secured,” another beggar, Mr. Tunji told Sunday Tribune.
Kola had just come out of a general hospital in Ogun State when he was sighted by Sunday Tribune. He claimed not to be an everyday beggar as he said he just hoped to get some extra cash.
“I have been coming here for a week. I can’t touch the money I have with me. I need more, that is why I am begging. Whatever I get from any good Samaritan, I spend on food. A pure water costs N50. Imagine what will happen if I had to remove from this money meant for hospital bills every time I need to drink. I am putting the life of my wife in danger. Any donation I get goes for the treatment, but whatever I get from begging, I can decide whatever I want to do with it,” he said.
A young boy Sunday Tribune found at the entrance of a popular restaurant in Abeokuta explained that they move from town to town in search of whom to give them money.
“We have a network. You are likely to see us at major public events. We travel from Abeokuta to Ijebu, to Ilaro and other places. We follow these politicians and hail them sometimes just to get money.
“Parties (social events) have now reduced a lot. When things were good, we had somewhere to go every weekend but now, let’s say we only get two weekend events in a month, aside from other small parties. People now react angrily when approached. They used to give us bottled water or any drink, but now they hold on tight to it and even chase us away whenever we follow them.”
Maria, a polio survivor, who uses a wheelchair, had a baby in her hand when sighted by Sunday Tribune. Her wheelchair was seen being pushed around by another child.
“If we don’t go out to beg for a day, we may not see the next day. Begging has been sustaining us since we came from Arewa. There are no jobs I can do, so I move around with my kids hoping a good Samaritan will show mercy and drop something no matter how little.
“It looks like everyone –poor and rich– are now struggling. Those that used to give no longer look at our side, they just walk by like they don’t care. We are all feeling the economy. The “babi Allah” song that we used to sing no longer makes people smile; they don’t even want to hear it. As soon as you reach their side, they say ‘Allah ba musa’.”
On the streets of Gbagada and Alimosho in Lagos State, Sunday Tribune met Sikiru and Austin respectively who were out soliciting for funds just to buy water and food.
“Bros, please, just water,” Sikiru said as he approached Sunday Tribune while motioning his right hand towards his mouth.
When Sunday Tribune sought to know why the young man resorted to begging, he said it was not in his nature to do such, but with limited means he had no other choice than to beg so as to keep the body and soul together.
“It is not in my nature to beg for money but with this present situation, I have no option available but to beg.
“As you can tell from the way I am sweating, I haven’t eaten anything good today simply because common food is no longer common. N1,000 cannot give you a plate of food that will be enough for you.
“With the last N500 on me, I was only able to buy two sausage rolls and a bottle of soft drink this afternoon. I am thirsty, but I have no money left to buy water,” he said.
When asked why he was not working, he simply said, “Bros, if you can give me work or you know anybody that can give me a job, I am willing to do any work.
“I am out every day looking out for work to do so as to feed myself but it seems my kind of work is not available in this area. I am not a professional but I can do any unskilled job using my strength.”
Austin, whom Sunday Tribune met in the Alimosho area of the state, said: “Oga, this your car is dirty oh, I can wash it for you very well. Please, don’t deny me this favour.”
Narrating his ugly experience in the last few months, he said survival has become very difficult since his boss, who is a foreigner, left the country.
“I was working in his house as a security guard before he got ill and left the country with his family and since then, things are no longer the same.
“I am a married man with kids and with this present economy where everything is now expensive, my survival has become very difficult. The pains of seeing your family without food can make you do anything just to put food on their table.
“I was told that there is a vacancy in this church for a security operative, (pointing his hand towards the direction of the church). That is what brought me to this area. I came to submit my application with the hope that I will be employed,” he explained.
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