Banning street begging, we’re only protecting almajiri, says Engineer Sule

Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, has said there is no criminality that defines child labour more than taking children less than seven years of age and sending them to beg on the street. The Governor stated this in a speech during the ceremony marking his investiture, alongside his wife, Hajiya Salifat Abdullahi Sule, into the Scout Association of Nigeria, which took place in Lafia, on Saturday.

 

While restating the significance his administration attaches to youths and children, Engineer Sule stressed that the recently signed executive order banning street begging across the state, was done out of the desire to protect the almajiri. He emphasized that some of the almajiri school system send hapless children to not only beg for what to eat but also find for money on the street.

 

Engineer Sule, who drew a similarity of purpose between that of the scout and his administration in the fight against drug abuse and child labour, commended the Scout Association of Nigeria for propagating the fight against those who promote child labour, child trafficking, as well as several other vices.

“If you look at it critically, what we have done with that law, by banning street begging, we are indeed on the same page with the Boys Scout. We are actually fighting those who are supporting drug abuse, we are fighting those who are actually sending our children into child labour,” he stated.

 

The Governor pointed out that despite his tight schedule he decided to attend the investiture ceremony because his administration is on the same page with the objectives of the Boy Scout, especially as regards to protecting children and youths and ensuring they become useful citizens.

 

Speaking earlier, Hon. Dave Padopads-Awunah, Chief Commissioner/CEO, the Scout Association of Nigeria, said the World Organization of Scout Movement, is a worldwide nongovernmental youth educational movement, with the goal of developing young people through a value system. Podopads-Awunah added that, through its Scout Laws and Promise, young people are made active through series of events, mobilizing for peace and stimulating positive community service for self-fulfilment.