– Proffers Solution To Menace
The former Zone B Coordinator of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and Niger Delta youth leader, Hon. Okereke Godson Bishop, has expressed deep concern over the rising trend of street begging in Imo State.
The Ngor-Okpala LGA-born human rights activist, in a press statement made available to this reporter, stated that proactive measures can be implemented to curb street begging and street trading in the state.
His statement reads:“The proliferation of street begging in Owerri City and across the Southeast region is a pressing concern that demands urgent attention. It is time for the State House of Assembly to enact laws addressing this societal menace, which poses a significant threat to our collective well-being and development as a people.
“While it’s commendable that the Imo State government has taken the lead in digital training and youth development, this alone cannot resolve the security challenges facing the state and the Southeast at large, especially if the initiative remains limited to white-collar job pursuits.
“The Igbo people have a rich cultural heritage, with a strong history of innovation, entrepreneurship, and resilience. Our ancestors were renowned for their advancements in mathematics, science, and technology—guided by spiritual practices such as Afa, Ogwu, Aja, and rituals. They operated structured governance systems, often overseen by spiritual deities and governed by a moral code akin to the Ten Commandments.
“Sadly, the sight of Igbo children begging on the streets starkly contradicts our values. We are not known for street begging or criminality—this is a foreign behavior creeping into our land. I am appalled to see able-bodied Igbo youths begging at major junctions in Owerri, including Douglas Road, Fire Service Junction, MCC Junction, Rotobi Junction, Warehouse Roundabout, Poly and IMSU Junctions, Concord Road, Old 40-40 Roundabout, among others. This issue is not limited to Imo State but is evident across the Southeast.
“The government must adopt a sincere and strategic long-term approach to combating insecurity and societal decay. I often ask myself—how did we get here? Who are the parents of these children on the streets? Some of them pose as car window cleaners with detergent water, hoping for handouts. Tragically, many of them are recruited into local cults, engaging in robbery, rape, and various criminal activities at night.
“These children are being robbed of their childhood and exposed to dangers that can destroy their lives and destabilize our society in the long run. To tackle this, a multifaceted approach is needed—one that combines government policy, community involvement, and personal responsibility.
“The government should establish vocational training centers—such as an ‘Artisan World’—where young people can learn trades like plumbing, electrical work, masonry, carpentry, and auto mechanics. Any youth found begging on the streets should be mandated to undergo training for six months to one year in one of these trades, after which they can be reintegrated into society.
“This is a proactive and sustainable strategy to address insecurity. Parents and guardians also have a crucial role to play in ensuring their children are educated and gainfully engaged. Communities must help discourage street begging by refusing to patronize it and by guiding these children toward more productive means of livelihood.
He concluded by highlighting the importance of collaboration:“By working together with the government, we can reduce street begging and related crimes;Promote vocational skills and entrepreneurship in Imo State and the Southeast;Enhance community development and security;Preserve Igbo cultural heritage and values.”
“It is time for us to reclaim our cultural identity and foster a society built on hard work, innovation, and self-reliance. We are Igbos—we can make a difference, and even export some of the world’s best artisans if we commit to this vision.”
