"Beg-Bug"

"Uncle give me small money"

The sight of them is ubiquitous, they are so visible it's almost impossible to miss them. They adorn the landscape of the street corners. Inadvertently, they have become skilled in the "Art of the Deal", possessing oratory and persuasive acumen that make people like me dazed. In an interesting sense I can relate with their situation - having to talk for a living.

Small Money

I took notice of this months ago. It was about 7:30 am, I had an appointment on Broad Street, Lagos Island. As soon as I alighted from the car and had started walking towards the building, I felt two tender hands grab my left arm. In nanoseconds my brain tried to process the action and determine my reaction. Could it be some street urchin trying to harass me? If so, why was he going for my left arm instead of my bag? Surely he must have some guts to attempt any folly amidst the myriad of armed security personnel patrolling the area this morning?
I was wrong! It was a girl of about five years with pitiful eyes and a beautiful smile, "uncle good morning, God go bless you; give me small money" (sic).

Corporate Beggers

For that little child that is the story of her life. You could tell that she has had to do this everyday. What really moved me to write was a young girl I saw at the petrol station, who usually sits there to beg - only this time she was pregnant with her third child! Criminal minds have obviously swooped in on her and have taken advantage of her situation. You just wonder what a world we live in.
If you live in metropolitan Lagos, "corporate begging" as we call it is not really new. You will always run into decently dressed people with fluent grammer who "forgot" their wallets at home. Lol.

However the dire economic situation seems to have exacerbated the situation. It's becoming scary. The pressure on the working class is unbelievable. Dependants have increased. Something has to be urgently done about this. People you won't imagine will just walk up to you confidently and demand certain amounts because they see you look the part and automatically assume you must have wads of 'Clement Isong' in your pocket.
The shock on their faces, the despondency in their voices, the desperation in their souls when you turn them down.

All Promises Cancelled?

I can't help but recall the promise to give N5,000 to the "poorest of the poor" by the government of the day. I want to remind them that I have quite a handful that need that money. They are not hard to find, they are among us.
Also for the state government to double up on its law that stipulates it an offence for children of school-age to be anywhere but their classrooms during school hours.
Finally let's pray for and voice out where necessay to our leaders who are pushing certain economic policies that are not very sound and cogent. It begs the question whether it is still proper to use the phrase the "Average Nigerian". The middle class is fast disappearing meaning that the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. We will need a powerful type of insecticide to deal with this "beg-bug" if we are to successfully halt this tide.
When it comes to this type of socio-econmic changes, I beg to differ!




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