Residents of Osun State have called on Governor Gboyega Oyetola and other stakeholders to take necessary action in order to contain the rising numbers of minor engaging in money begging.
BlazeNewz gathered that areas like Osogbo, Ede, Ikirun, Iree, Iwo among others in the state are now witnessing what they described as strange begging of money by minors.
Our correspondent also gathered that the minors are always found at functions like burial funeral, naming ceremony, chieftaincy function including eateries where known and unknown people visit to enjoy themselves.
Speaking with our correspondent at a function held in Ikirun, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun, Mr Adebisi Gbadegesin said the rising numbers of both female and male child who now see begging for money as an avenue to reduce their family financial burden will become disadvantage to the state in future .
Gbadegesin added that if the government and concerned stakeholders neglect to act now in ending this strange habit in the state said the children may become modernized almajiri.
"We can not as a Yoruba afford to start having modernized almajiri system in our state for security consciousness " he said.
Mrs Rukayat Adewale, mother of three who also expressed her concern said the strange culture of minors becoming beggars which she confirmed has spread across the state was as a result of poverty level of residents of the state.
She said even though the lockdown of the state during the first round of Covid-19 not only made minors to become beggars but responsible men and women turned cooperate actors in this new business.
She, however, urged Governor Oyetola and other concerned bodies to see this rising immoral habit as something that must be stopped before those minors who engage in begging become a security treat to the state.
She also said the state government as a matter of urgency take responsibility of sensitising parents on the need to stop their wards from street begging to avoid their children being kidnapped by ritualist and human traffickers.
A seven year old boy, who identified himself as Ibukunoluwa told our correspondent at the entrance of popular Osun Mall in the state capital that his parents are aware of his act of begging for money from customers entering the mall.
He said sense the first lockdown in the state he has been going to Osun Mall every evening to beg for money.
When asked if he is willing to stop the begging, he said as far as people do not resist extending their arms to him he will continue with it.
