As Christians celebrate Easter across the world, stakeholders in Ondo state have called for stringent actions to end Child Street begging and hawking.
The concerned citizens also said the Yoruba race is known for hard work unlike the prevailing attitude of street begging.
A citizen, Dr Waheed Folayan in his words noted that Islam frowns at street begging as there are stipulations of how Zakat must be observed. He expressed fear over the outcome of children used as begging or those who have turned street beggars, noting that this will have negative impact on their education and future.
Another citizen, Father Joseph Ogodo, a Catholic priest noted that even though alms giving is a pillar of Lenten season, yet alms must be given in a way that upholds the dignity of human person.
He noted that opportunities must be given to poor and vulnerable to come out of poverty and not just alms which is short term.
“Children must not be exposed to hard street life which may lead to exposure to vices but rather be given education which is their inalienable right,” he said.
Also, Bola Joel-Ogundadegbe, the state FIDA chairman said the Child’s Right Act, which is operational in the state, does not allow child hawking and street begging.
She called on the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to rise up to the occasion to commence raid of children found begging as well as those hawking. She further observed that children are increasingly exposed to street begging while blind men and women use school age children as begging guide during school hours.
Other Nigerians expressed dismay at the rise and dimensions of the act, which they noted will rise exponentially if not addressed.
