Nigerians are well known for the tradition of giving alms to the needy.
Many people believe that the needy, particularly beggars, are angels sent to test their act of giving.
Others believe that when the barren gives to those with children, she will give birth to children of her own, while most people believe that giving the needy will release God’s blessings upon them.
However, these beliefs are gradually dying.
Many Nigerians are no longer giving alms, due to the declining standard of living.
Economy&Lifestyle discovered that the development has made most roadside beggars, who are known to quit begging by 5 p.m., now extend their routine till late night, to meet their daily targets.
Hauwa Garba, a mother of three who begs for a living, said: “People hardly give us money nowadays. I have been begging since 2018.
“Then people will give N500, N200, clothes, food for myself and children.
“Then people will give N500, N200, clothes, food for myself and children.
“Now, people don’t even look at you or the children. The act of giving has reduced a lot.
“The highest denomination I received today was N100.
“Even the sharing of food packs hardly happens now and when it does the packs contain little quantity unlike before when you have a lot to eat and even waste.
“So to meet up with footing my bills, I beg till late night. “This is because I pay for the space I retire to after begging. There are very many of us living there and everyone must pay their share of the rent.”
In Nigeria, there are various grades of beggars and each category sticks to a particular belief of the various cultural backgrounds in the country.
“So to meet up with footing my bills, I beg till late night. “This is because I pay for the space I retire to after begging. There are very many of us living there and everyone must pay their share of the rent.”
In Nigeria, there are various grades of beggars and each category sticks to a particular belief of the various cultural backgrounds in the country.
There are beggars with children, there are the old, those who are handicapped and some that you meet on the street seeking financial help or food for survival, there are beggars seeking help to resolve medical issues among others.