Street beggars in Lagos may start counting their days, as the state government says it will soon clear them off the streets. TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO reports the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political and Legislative Matters, Alhaji Abdulhakeem Abdulateef, as saying that the government may decide to wield the big stick by enforcing the law banning beggars.


The days of street beggars in Lagos metropolis may be over: the state says it will soon come for them.

This is part of the "New Lagos" scheme of the Babatunde Fashola administration.

The Ministry of Environment had begun the programme by sacking street traders and hawkers, who are fond of creating traffic gridlock, all in an attempt to draw attention to their wares.

The ministry had sacked them in places, such as Idumota, other parts of the Island, Ikeja and Apapa, among others.

It said it would soon visit Oshodi for the same purpose.

Besides, posters used to deface many public places, especially the bridges, are being removed by the ministry, which also vowed to prosecute people pasting them.

Soon, the fight may shift to the street beggars, going by the pronouncements of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political and Legislative Matters, Alhaji Abdulhakeem Abdullateef who said the government may decide to wield the big stick by enforcing the law banning individuals or groups who are soliciting for money in public without approval.

Abdulateef reiterated that "public begging is outlawed in Lagos State" at a Zakat distribution ceremony organised by the Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation in Lagos.

According to him, "anybody who begs publicly must intimate the state government the purpose of collecting the money and render account of such money".

He added: "You are not allowed to raise fund anyhow without the permission of the state. So, that applies to all beggars. Generally, begging is an offence in the state. While you are free to donate generally, you are not authorised to set up an institute that begs for money. If you do that under the law, you are expected to account for what you have collected, bring it to the knowledge of the state and also declare the purposes for which the funds were instituted".

Although beggars are found in various parts of the Lagos metropolis, but they concentrate more on Kano Street, Ebute-Metta, Lagos Mainland, Oshodi, Agege railway lines and Yaba, among others.

Several attempts had been made in the past to move them away from the streets, but they always found their ways back.

The special adviser, however, commended the executives of the foundation for assisting the government with their programme.

"Islamic religion has given us very comprehensive solution to it (poverty), whereas the rich will be assisted to enrich the poor. So, many people who are not covered by the tax net realise that there is a connection between them and their Lord and it is easier for them to pay Zakat, because they know it is an investment in the hereafter," he stated.

The foundation Chairman, Prince Sulayman Olagunju, reminded the gathering that the institution of Zakat is in the Holy Quran.

Olagunju advised Muslims not to evade it in order not to face the wrath of Allah.

"It should not be evaded, because the punishment of Allah awaits all evaders, as you deny the have-nots of their own share of your wealth," he warned.

He congratulated the beneficiaries for "the golden opportunity".

According to Olagunju, the goal of the event, in which materials and cash worth over N6 million were distributed, had been achieved.

He further urged the foundation to create a credible and transparent channel of distribution of wealth for the empowerment of the down-trodden.