Street Begging: NGO Sets To Tackle Menace Among Children In Osun

 

Yusuf Oketola

A Non-Governmental Organisation in the State of Osun, Monsurat Ajoke Foundation (MAF) has reiterated its readiness in tackling street begging among teenagers in the state.

According to the Coordinator of the Foundation, Ms. Monsurat Ajoke, child begging is gradually becoming a menace in every state, including Osun, saying that thousands of children live on the streets, begging for money and food.

Ajoke said Osogbo, the capital of the state, has more than 20 children beggars in a day; a development she said is responsible for the growing rate of thuggery and violence among children in the city.

She stated that begging offers children no hope and uncertain future.

The coordinator said: “Begging offers children no hope and uncertain future and giving money to children on the streets encourage them to leave home and stay out of schools. 

“It promotes drug abuse and keeps them away from organisations that are there to help them. If you give them money, food or cloth, you are paying them to be on the street and become beggars. Such children almost inevitably, turn to a life of crime as they get older.

“Please, do not make beggars out of our children. Our constant monitoring of the situation reveals that no matter what they may tell you, they all have homes or a place of safety to go where they are being fed and taken care of.”

In a bid to tackle the menace, the Foundation on Sunday, November 14, 2021 will organise an empowerment programme tagged ‘Vision pick our children from the street’ at Excellent Event Centre, Ona Baba Ona, Ofatedo area, Osogbo. 

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that some hotspot areas in Osogbo where the activities of street begging is rampant among the children includes, Capital Junction, Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osun Mall, Igbona Area, Ibikunle, among other places.