A growing trend of beggars, often referred to as “corporate beggars,” is currently emerging in Abuja.
The findings were reported by News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), revealing that corporate beggars take begging as a means of livelihood and even earn more than some working staffs. They usually hang out around shopping malls, markets, bus stops, religious centres, hospitals and offices.
However, one of them was apprehended by the NAN at Wuse Market and she pleaded anonymity, saying that most of them beg because they had no other means of livelihood.
She said, “I have been begging for over 12 years in different locations in Abuja, I am married and blessed with nine children. My husband is not a responsible father and I want my children to be educated.”
“I use the money I get to feed and train them in school, they go to school during the week and they join me in begging at weekends, we share ourselves to different location”
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According to her, before the removal of the fuel subsidy, she used to make up to N150,000 to N200,000 monthly.
She furthered, “But because of the current economy, I now make between N90,000 to N100,000 monthly”.
“The only thing I know how to do is beg as it pays me more than getting a job. I know when workers receive their salaries, and that is the time I go to government offices, every season has its location”.
She made it known that most Nigerians do not want to help when they do not hear sad tales.
Another beggar with a disability, Isa Isa, revealed that he was born that way into a family of 108, adding that his father had four wives.
He said, “Whenever he divorces anyone he replaces her immediately, which made him have so many children he could not cater for. I started begging at an early age, and naturally, people felt pity for me because I did not have a wheelchair then, I used to roll on the ground.”
“I was later given a wheelchair by the government which made it a bit easier for me. I am married with eight children, I have three graduates, four of my daughters are married and I have four houses, all proceeds of my begging.”
“Now I beg for fun as it’s the only job I understand, I make more than N300,000 monthly”.
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