The Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf has expressed displeasure towards the menace of street begging in the State.
Speaking yesterday at the maiden edition of community engagement of all stakeholders in Alimosho constituency, she advised beggars to quit begging as a source of livelihood.
Instead, they should take advantage of the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act signed into law last year by President Muhammadu Buhari, which among other items mandates public and private institutions in the country to reserve a percentage of employment opportunities for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).
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The commissioner urged the beggars in Lagos to acquire a skill and get engaged in a vocation, reminding them of the law that prohibits street begging.
She warned individuals to stop giving money to the beggars as that would increase their dependency on the public rather than being self-sufficient.
“Begging is not a vocation and I personally frown at it. Having challenges is not a liberty not to be useful to oneself. With the support and empowerment programmes of groups, NGOs, and firms, PWDs can rise above their challenge to be whatever they aspire to become rather than turn into full-time begging”.
“For PWDs who strive to get themselves skilled in any vocation, trade or profession, they are at an advantage to be engaged with the PWD act signed into law last year by President Buhari. We have lawyers, doctors, journalists and many other professionals that are physically challenged”.
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