Association Supports Ban On Street Begging

The Nigeria Association of Physically Challenged Persons in Adamawa State on Tuesday endorsed the recent ban on street begging in the state.

The state Chairman of the association, Malam Abubakar Hosere, told The Tide in Yola that the association fully supported the ban, saying it would in the long run enable its members to live on their own.

He, however, urged the government to find a way to take care of elderly beggars who were too old to learn a trade to sustain themselves.

“We want government to do something about the plight of beggars from 50 years and above who are too old to patronise government skills acquisition centres.

“There is need for a welfare programme for them,” Hosere said.

He commended the government for giving disabled people the necessary opportunities to excel, adding that there was no reason for any of them to resort to begging.

According to him, about 1,400 disabled persons have so far received training in various skills, adding that 135 of them have been employed by the government while others are self employed.

“The state government has assured us that any disabled with a degree or diploma qualification will be given automatic employment, “ Hosere said.

He said the government had also allocated 296 training slots to the association this year under its poverty alleviation programme, while the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) allocated 50 slots.

“We have 100 slots from Fadama III project coordinator while our association is sponsoring 45 trainees, “ he added.

He urged physically challenged persons to register with the association, to take full advantage of the empowerment opportunities provided by the state and the federal governments.