The Emir of Bichi in Kano, Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero has called on the state government to empower street beggers to make them self-reliant.
The Emir made the call when the state Task Force Committee on Evacuation and Repatriation of Beggers paid him a courtesy visit in his palace.
Bayero said to eradicate begging as a means of livelihood, beggers have to be economically empowered.
The monarch urged the committee to educate and sensitize the people on the menace of street begging in society.
He directed all-district, village, and ward heads in his emirate to support the committee in its onerous task of tackling the social ill.
Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Rabi’u Suleiman said they were at the palace to inform the emir on preparation by the committee and seek his support and blessing to end street begging in the state.
Bichi, who was represented by the Managing Director Agency for Evacuation and Repatriation of Beggers, Malam Muhammad Albakary Mika’il stated that the committee consulted with all stakeholders that included heads of media organizations, the Ulamas, Civil society Organizations, among others.
The managing director explained that the decision by the state government to set up the committee was informed by the resolution of the northern state governors to ban street begging in the region.
Abdullahi Jalaluddeen