In Nigeria, especially Lagos, giving alms to the
street beggar is an everyday occurrence as there is
the traditional belief that it brings good luck, and
the religious consider it a form of obligation.
Beggars on a Lagos street
There have been debates over the years, however, on
the cause and effect of giving handouts to these
beggars in the streets. The key argument is that
giving to them endangers their lives in many forms
and also makes getting them off the streets extra
difficult.
No doubt, it is difficult to grapple the distressing
sight of fellow humans living in horrid conditions, but
in truth, it may be easier to weigh the situation of
the beggar before you give in to your desire to bless
them with alms. Some of these drifters are no
longer just individuals garbed in dirty filthy clothes
sitting around the roads with their arms
outstretched, begging for alms; They are now also
camouflaged as regular people walking the street,
colonizing every part of the city and covertly
harassing common citizens in a bid to satiate their
greed or grow their begging trade.
Of course, there is always the rotten apple in every
barrel and seeing as it is one week to Christmas –
the season of sharing love and giving, you may want
to close your eyes to the bad lot and give to these
street beggars anyways…but before you do that, if
you are in Lagos, read on to know the different kind
of beggars there are, that way you are informed
enough to know which is more deserving of gifts.



1.The Destitute Beggar
This is the classic beggar. The destitute beggar is
the dirty, haggard, impoverished and pitiable soul
lodged on the roadsides or under the bridges without
a home or source of living. These set of people are
unable to participate and compete in the workforce,
and do not have anyone providing their welfare.
Worse, they have no clue on where to go to for help,
and so resort to handout from strangers for survival.
It is usually difficult to pass by these people
without dropping a coin or note; however, you can do
better by pointing them to organizations (charities
and churches) that can offer them long term
restoration.


2. The Disabled Beggar
Have you ever been trapped in Lagos traffic and a
tap on your side window reveals a physically disabled
citizen asking for sustenance? The experience is
usually heart wrenching as you are most times
compelled to wonder: How did he live through his
youth? Does he not have a family? What were his
ambitions? The disabled beggar is another classic,
and usually includes an amputee or someone infested
with an extensive or terminal disease. Sometimes,
these beggars sit in groups and usually have their
‘love-vendor’ not too far away. You really should not turn
your back on these people.

3. The Mother-of-many This kind of beggar is very easily encountered around market areas and strategic road corners in Lagos. A woman shabbily dressed, usually with sunken eyes that express her dire state of helplessness, sits with a number of babies, sometimes wailing continuously to draw attention and pity. They usually tell the sorrowful story of how they were abandoned by her husband or how she and her husband lost their jobs. These beggars who are hard to ignore, request for cash donations and food supplements from people who stop-by to offer assistance. There have been rumors that some of these beggars actually borrow these babies from other women and they work as a group, however, whatever the case, it is usually best to alert organizations to cater to such people, pointing them to the location of the beggar so they offer help where needed.


4. The Settle-Me road Lords These are possibly the most annoying of the different beggars encountered in Lagos. This “settle-me” road lord is not your typical beggar with a genuine need and seeking for assistance. They are able-bodied individuals who lurk around busy areas demanding for privileges that they do not necessarily deserve. They target certain people either because they look affluent or vulnerable. Most popular are the ones on the island who stay around areas with bad roads, they help victims whose cars get stuck and then demand to be settled. These kinds of beggars usually work in groups and can get very belligerent, especially if you encounter them around their area.

6. The Entrepreneur Beggar These “entrepreneurs” are pitiable but can be quite the nuisance as well. Have you ever been in traffic and a man comes to wash your windscreen without your consent and afterwards askes for recompense? Or have you been in the market and seen some ladies offering to beautify your skin with henna patterns and asking to be tipped afterwards? While these beggars are making an effort towards making a living by finding creative ways to earn money instead of just asking, they can be very annoying – especially when they are forcefully offer a service you do not particularly need or are averse to.



7. The Child Beggar The child beggar is the child on the street that runs after you, tugging at your clothing, asking for handouts or financial assistance. Usually their parents sit not too far keeping a watchful eye while they go about begging. It is hard to ignore these children as their chants have a way of appealing to almost all kinds of people. It is best to give this kind of beggar food or clothing rather than cash, as they benefit better from those than cash – which are taken away by their parents. You can go further to make this child’s Christmas spectacular by donating clothes and toys. It is certainly more blessed to give than to receive, and so, as you celebrate this Christmas, keep in mind that the holiday is not all about merry making and discount shopping, it is essentially a season of love and giving; and charitable giving is surely the way to go. Look for a way to bless a life… it is as easy as giving to a beggar on the street.

I be feeling like the man of tha year when I walk thru

The 'annointed' beggars : I couldn't stop thinking for a minute that these set of people claiming to be performing religious activities were not common beggars. You would see some men in coat, or white garment claiming to be preachers at bus stops and garages, but at the end demand for some token. Same with some traditional kinda ppl, who move around with some cultural tools claiming of praying for u in return for cash. SMH.