‘Why we can’t quit begging’ – Corporate beggars storms FCT

Amid the hardship across the country, corporate begging has become a popular source of income for many Nigerians. 

Many residents of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, have taken to begging as part of their strategies to make ends meet.

DAILY POST reports that the people who engage in the practice usually hang around residential buildings, shopping malls, bus stops, religious centres, hospitals, markets, roadsides and offices.

Speaking to DAILY POST, some of those involved blamed it on worsening hardship.

One of such beggars at the Berger area of the FCT, who simply gave her name as Mrs Hauwa, said that she had taken to begging to enable her to feed her family.

She said, “I have to beg to feed my sick husband and my six children. Times are hard, we feed once in two days, no money to buy my husband’s drugs because he is diabetic.

“I used to work in a private firm but they reduced their staff strength due to the current economic situation in the country, and getting another job has been difficult. I have no choice but to beg as it is better than stealing.”

She added that even if she gets another job, she will have to consider if the job favoured her more before she can quit begging.