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By Lizzy Chirkpi
A proposal by Senator Ali Ndume to establish an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp for beggars in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, has sparked drama and diverse reactions among Nigerians.
During a meeting on Wednesday, Senator Ndume suggested to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike that an IDP camp be created for beggars in the FCT. He proposed providing them with food and vocational training, drawing parallels to existing initiatives in Kano and other states, as an alternative to mere arrest.
In response, Minister Wike expressed the FCT’s lack of capacity to support such a program. He further noted his concern that some beggars might persist in begging even after receiving assistance.
The suggestion has ignited a strong debate on X (formerly Twitter), with Nigerians sharing their opinions:
@emmaerudite commented: “The manner and ways Northerners like IDP camps is alarming and a matter for concern. Instead of thinking on how to comb and eradicate the menace of street begging and look at the root causes, what these so-called lawmakers are proposing is a temporary shelter with some form of hospitality that will make the menace of street begging sustained and attract more street beggars. This is insane. These lawmakers are very unintelligent and dull.”
OfficialEdoOsaB wrote: “I love how Wike put that daft Ndume in his place. They just want to be entitled to the nation’s resources without contributing anything meaningful.”
@jaobdumuje stated: “They always like to get everything freely from the government. That is the mentality of majority of the northerners.”
@impactox observed: “That’s the simplest math to solve, An average Northern family has at least 8 kids and most don’t even have a meaningful job to take care of the kids or even plan for their future, Hence the reason why there are plenty of them roaming the street to beg..”
@Muhamma9742 countered: “You guys sound illogical and illiterate, it’s democracy, you speak out your opinion and point of view about something doesn’t mean you’re forcing it. Why can’t your intellectual southerners suggest the ways to bring permanent solutions to the problem. It’s democracy.”
@Babaolayen36732 added: “Northerners are beggars from birth and that’s why they will find it hard to develop because of zero education and hard work…”