Destitute, beggars, out-of-school children take over Ibadan metropolis

It is no longer news that destitutes of different categories are back in large numbers on the major streets in virtually all the local government areas of Oyo State after a failed attempt to relocate to the resettlement centre in Akinyele, Ibadan, barely five years ago.

The destitute, beggars and out-of-school children, who are of different ethnic groups, including the Yoruba, and Hausa dot the corridors of the major streets in Ibadan.

Even though the state government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, evacuated no fewer than 5,000 destitute people and beggars to a resettlement in Akinyele area in 2021, they seemed not content with the decision of the government then.

The decision of the government seemed to have deprived them of the daily benefits of lining the streets, not minding the risk of their actions.

They are being encouraged with the visits of the well-meaning people, including the religious leaders to donate foodstuffs, clothes and other items.

To the donors, they are being classified as the underprivileged that need to be attended to, not minding where they are positioned.

Some donors, while acting on the instructions of their imams, prophets and babalawos to make sacrifices to be liberated from forces bedeviling their destinies, see the visits to the destitute places as a way out.

This practice has resulted in a geometric increase in the number of the destitute, beggars and out-of-school children that is being recorded in Ibadan, nay, the state.

Because of the benefits attached to the ugly trend, many of them have constituted themselves to various groups with the appointment of the leaders and areas of operation.

It will be met with a stiffer opposition, if a destitute known to be operating at either New Garage or Challenge area is found at Jemibewon Road in Mokola, Ibadan.

A leader of the group at the New Garage, who identified himself as Alhassan Danladi, described begging as their own way of life as long as they do not indulge in crime.

“We gather here every day to solicit help from well-meaning Nigerians. We are from different ethnic groups. We are not constituting nuisance to the society. We take care of the environment by sweeping the streets,” he said.

“I don’t know what happens in other places, but here we know ourselves. We abide by the rules and regulations.”

On where they retire to in the evening, he said: “We don’t sleep on the road. Some of us stay at Agbaje, Odo-Ona and other places in Oluyole Local Government Area.”

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However, the position of Alhassan on his members not creating nuisance on the roads sharply contradicts with the situation at both Alao Akala Way, precisely at the front of popular privately owned secondary schools, where the destitute are seen daily at the median of the ever-busy road and the Challenge-end of the Ring Road.

The out-of-school children within the age range of seven and 12 are always there, either begging for alms or carrying out an unsolicited assistance of wiping the windscreen of motorists who are waiting to be given access by the electronic traffic light.

Motorists after persistent pressure, coupled with unsolicited prayers, are forced to part with either N20 or N50 as alms to the so-called poor people on the streets.

The practice is not restricted to either Challenge or New Garage areas, similar scenarios play out at Jemibewon way in Mokola.

The place, to motorists and residents, has been turned to a ‘Beggars Colony’ with its tentacles spread to the gate of Saint Gabriel Secondary School, Mokola, Ibadan.

The activities of the beggars, as reliably gathered in a major problem for some schools that are within the proximity.

The development recently caught the attention of lawmakers in the state, with a call on the government to evacuate them from the streets.

They also warned that the growing presence of such vulnerable groups could trigger humanitarian concerns and damage the state’s public image.

Honourable Babajide Adebayo, representing Ibadan North II, had, in a motion at the plenary, drawn the attention of the government to the increasing number of destitute people occupying road medians, markets and other public spaces, especially within Ibadan metropolis.

Adebayo acknowledged previous interventions by the government through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, but stressed that more comprehensive action was required to prevent a potential humanitarian crisis.

He warned that the unchecked rise in destitution on the streets could pose environmental, security and public health risks if not urgently addressed.’

‘The government should accelerate the evacuation, rehabilitation and possible relocation of destitute persons while also creating pathways for their reintegration into society,” he said.

The lawmaker further recommended the introduction of skills acquisition programmes and educational initiatives that will empower affected individuals to become self-reliant and transition from street life.

“This Honourable House takes cognisance of the effects of destitutes occupying major streets, road medians, markets and other public places, constituting public nuisance and environmental concerns in the state,” Adebayo said while presenting the motion.

The motion was seconded by Honourable Olusola Owolabi, representing Ibadan North East II, who also described the presence of destitute in his constituency as a security threat and environmental concern.

Several lawmakers also backed the initiative, including the Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin; House Leader, Honourable Sanjo Onaolapo (Ogbomoso South); Honourable Peter Ojedokun (Ibarapa North/Central); Honourable Razaq Mabaje (Ido) and Honourable Akintunde Olajide (Lagelu), who co-sponsored the motion.

In his contribution, Honourable Rahman Olorunpoto, representing Oyo East/West state constituency, described the motion as timely and critical, noting that the growing presence of destitute persons and street urchins on major roads had become an environmental and safety concern.

He called on the state government to take urgent and decisive measures to ensure that public roads and spaces remain safe for both residents and businesses.