There is no country like Nigeria. The people are unique in their Nigerians. We tend to flex our muscles over non-issues. We argue over inanities.
That is why we are Nigerians!
What is the business of lawmakers with begging and beggars? I understand some of our houses of assembly are busy legislating to remove beggars from our squalid streets.
Out of all the laws that could be passed in an underdeveloped economy, our honourable are wasting time on such pettiness. Tell me, how does that bring food to the common man? How does that eliminate malaria? How does it chase away the Fulani herdsmen that are raping our women, killing our men, wasting our crops, etc?
Did they not come to beg for our votes? Since getting the votes, they’ve stayed in the various state capitals. They are busy enjoying themselves, caring less about their constituents until the next elections.
If they should chase the beggars away, how shall we give alms? Alms are not given because we are good people but because we seek a favour from God or the gods! We then engage in acts of piety.
That is why we do not part with our alms without praying, using them to rub our heads or performing any other silly act. Is it for poor beggars to inherit our infirmities, whether physical or spiritual?
Back to our lawmakers, I hear they are legislating that beggars must be ‘deported’ to their states of origin when caught. However, the last time I read the Nigerian constitution, there is a provision that a Nigerian may reside in any part of the country that pleases him.
That means that even if a person should commit a crime, he should be tried in the state where the crime was committed.
Begging is not a crime!!!
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