Physinews: Lagos State Government of Nigeria has reiterated its
commitment to continue to protect the dignity
of children in Lagos as a signatory to the Child
Rights Act just as it strives to rid the state of
beggars in pursuance of its zero tolerance
policy on street begging.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth &
Social Development, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola
disclosed this on Wednesday while parading
arrested women using small children to beg for
alms at Iyana-Ipaja roundabout.
He said the culprits, comprising four women
with infants, were apprehended while soliciting
for alms during routine operation by the
Ministry’s rescue team at Iyana Ipaja, stressing
that it has not been established if the beggars
are the biological parents of the children.
According to him, “It is very sad that most of
the beggars are not the biological parents of
the children they use for begging and it’s our
responsibility as government to protect the
dignity of children being used to beg for alms
which is a punishable offence under the law of
the land”.
Muri-Okunola maintained that the State
Government will continue to rid Lagos streets
of beggars because some of them have also
been caught aiding and abetting criminals in
perpetuating their heinous acts like kidnapping
and robbery among others.
While warning that the present administration is
determined to prosecute offenders contravening
the State’s Environmental Law through street
begging, Hakeem implored Lagosians to
cooperate and support the government in
eradicating this menace in the State.
commitment to continue to protect the dignity
of children in Lagos as a signatory to the Child
Rights Act just as it strives to rid the state of
beggars in pursuance of its zero tolerance
policy on street begging.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth &
Social Development, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola
disclosed this on Wednesday while parading
arrested women using small children to beg for
alms at Iyana-Ipaja roundabout.
He said the culprits, comprising four women
with infants, were apprehended while soliciting
for alms during routine operation by the
Ministry’s rescue team at Iyana Ipaja, stressing
that it has not been established if the beggars
are the biological parents of the children.
According to him, “It is very sad that most of
the beggars are not the biological parents of
the children they use for begging and it’s our
responsibility as government to protect the
dignity of children being used to beg for alms
which is a punishable offence under the law of
the land”.
Muri-Okunola maintained that the State
Government will continue to rid Lagos streets
of beggars because some of them have also
been caught aiding and abetting criminals in
perpetuating their heinous acts like kidnapping
and robbery among others.
While warning that the present administration is
determined to prosecute offenders contravening
the State’s Environmental Law through street
begging, Hakeem implored Lagosians to
cooperate and support the government in
eradicating this menace in the State.
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