Hundreds of homeless children gather to watch a local wrestling match [Photos]

yinka ogunlami

January 28, 2016 11:18 AM

Hundreds of beggars on Monday gathered at the Murtala Mohammed Square to watch local wrestlers compete at the ongoing Kaduna State Cultural Festival.

Homeless persons gather to watch a local wrestling match

The government led by Malam Nasir Ahmad el- Rufai had, on taking oath of office, banned street begging in and around the metropolis, but the beggars resisted the ban and insisted it was a violation of their fundamental human rights.

The beggars through one of their leaders, Abdullahi Jugunu, threatened to take legal action against the government but the issue was addressed after the governor, alongside his Deputy, Bala Barnabas Bantex visited the beggars colony located at Rigasa.

The beggars, who stormed the sporting centre at Murtala Square in large numbers, conducted themselves in a peaceful manner as they watched the local wrestlers fight.

Begging is on the increase especially in the Northern part of Nigeria by out of school children. They see it as their only means of livelihood, it was gathered from those interviewed.

Some of the beggars who spoke to Pulse in Hausa said they enjoyed the sport adding that it was the reason they turned out in large numbers.

“I saw people trooping in here and I followed. It was another way of getting my daily bread, but this particular game caught my attention and I have to seat here alongside my friends,” a beggar, Abdul Sani said.

Some people have also shown concern over the way and manner begging has become a tradition especially in the Northern part of Nigeria.

They blamed it on the inability of the leaders to groom the youth through capacity building and training. “A country that fails to educate its population, would fail in building its future. Begging has continued to be on the increase in the northern part of Nigeria. Many youth preferred begging to education.

"The increase in such activities has made many people get used to it. Government at all levels must intervene,” a Kaduna resident, Ezekiel Makam said.

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