Borno Bans Street Begging, Loitering
The Borno State Government has banned street begging and loitering in Maiduguri city and environs.
This is contained in a public notice issued by the Borno State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prof. Usman Tar, on Sunday in Maiduguri.
Tar said street begging and aimless loitering were not part of the culture of the Borno people.
“In Borno State, street begging and aimless loitering are not in our character. We are dignified people.
“This is to inform members of the public that the Borno State Government has placed a strict ban on all street begging, loitering, and gallivanting within and around Maiduguri Metropolis and Jere LGAs,” he said.
The notice said the ban was with immediate effect, warning that violators would be prosecuted.
That is the way to go. However, the ban should have been preceded by
a. Statewide sensitisation of parents on the dangers of begging, loitering and not educating their children
b. Providing school and education facilities that can absorb the children free of any cost for at least 5yrs.
c. Mobilising the children into schools through various enticement and enforcement strategies
d. Placing a ban begging and enforcing same by punishing parents whose children are caught violetting the ban
If this strategy is not followed the result of the present unproccessed ban will be like the impact of the unplanned and hasty subsidy removal on Nigerians for which we all are suffering now.