The Lagos State Government on Thursday said giving alms to beggars on roadside is an offense punishable by two years imprisonment without an option of fine. It further stated that instead of risking jail term, the citizens of the state could give such alms to churches, mosques, registered orphanages, motherless babies homes or social welfare institutions in the state.
The Special Adviser on Youth, Sports and Social Development to the governor, Dr. Dolapo Badru, said this at a news conference in Alausa, Ikeja on the performance of the ministry in social care. He said the government was determined to take beggars and the destitute off the street and provide them vocations and shelters. - Punch
Two years in prison for giving alms? Common mehn, that's too harsh. They make it sound like people become beggars by choice...most of the people who beg are disabled...where in the world is this done? Even the bible says help those in need...so why imprison someone for that? How many beggars can the state government provide shelter for?
There are hundreds of thousands of graduates who are sitting at home 'cos they can't find jobs, then what chance does a disabled person have? I tire for this kain thing!
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There is no particular legislation in Nigeria to give access to disabled people to have equal opportunity with the able bodied; so majority of those begging are helpless and the government cannot pretend to have resources to give them a decent life! It is the most daft law I have ever heard! Stop it now! Ben
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