Children as pawns for begging

In all states of the federation, it is not surprising to see children attached to beggars asking for aid. It bleeds my heart because I see the future of Nigeria that is hopeless though that child. It is a familiar scene to see children begging alongside their parents especially when such a parent is handicapped or physically challenged. It is also not surprising that mothers of multiple babies hang at the roadside begging for arms with the babies either sleeping or feeding from a hungry breast. The most annoying of it all is when parents who are not in any way handicapped also engage in begging alongside their children.

This is disheartening and the height of child abuse owing to the fact that Nigeria has a child Right Act which is supposed to protect the right, dignity and vulnerability of a child. These children are made to walk a long distance in hunger, wearing unpleasant clothes and most of all in terrible weather conditions. They are exposed to all sorts of risk which include but is not limited to accidents, kidnapping, sexual exploitation especially for the female child, health challenges as well as learning dubious behaviors which may likely metamorphose into criminal activities and consequently put the society into jeopardy.

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A close interaction with some of the kids whom I had to give money and beverages to get their attention, I observed that they are being fed the ideology that begging is the only way to have food to eat as well as the only way out of penury. I also observed that these children are used to attracting sympathy from people who would want to help because of their condition. Furthermore, it is on record that most of these beggars made close to N 2000 and above on daily basis. These children serve as a gate-way or a means of extorting money from people.

These children yearn for a better life like their mates; they yearn for a family that guarantee their protection, they yearn for good and quality education, access to quality health care and above all they yearn for the restoration of their childhood when their parents and the society have stripped from them.

It is time for child right activists, social and child welfare workers and the society as a whole to stand up against the use of children as pawns for begging on the street. There is a need for a wakeup call to all parents to curb the act of children being used as pawns for begging as it spells doom for the future of our dear nation.

Ekpe Madonna Uchechi, Kano.