By Eruotor Cynthia
Nigeria Union of Journalists, Delta State Council has tasked the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and other relevant agencies to take steps to stop street begging among children in the state as these children are not only exposed to danger but constitute future criminals in the country.
In a press statement signed by Chairman, NUJ State Council, Comrade Churhill Oyowe and Secretary, Comrade Victor Sorokwu, said, the number of children and adolescents that beg on the streets is on the increase as many of them do this by performing menial tasks such as cleaning car windshields.
According to body, the children do not only see the activities as means of survival but legitimate trades. The statement says investigations reveal that many of these children and adolescents who involve in these activities are not originally from Delta State as they lack stable homes adding, such children now use Koka Interchange, Interbau Roundabout and Maryam Babangida Way Junction in Asaba; the PTI Junction and Effurun drive-over as their makeshift residences.
According to statement ,such group of children lack education and proper parental guidance which have made them to be street children adding that, this has gone a long way to make them more susceptible to violence as they lack compassion and see society as a harsh environment where survival is paramount. The body made reference to the plight of the Almajiris in the Northern part of Nigeria over their neglect in the past few decades which contributed to the increase of violent groups such as Boko Haram, kidnappers and other criminals elements.
The body said if the challenges of the Children’s begging is not promptly tackled, things may not augur well in on this regard.
Part of the statement reads:”Many of these young individuals are turning to begging and performing menial tasks, such as cleaning car windshields, as a means of survival.They are beginning to view these activities as legitimate trades.
“The Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, and Social Development holds the responsibility for addressing this issue. We urge the ministry and other relevant state agencies to take immediate and effective action to curb the spread of street children.”NUJ State Council therefore called on the relevant agencies to act fast in this regard.