"The biggest problem in Africa is that there are more begging bowls than giving hands" (Author Unknown).

I heard these words while still a student in the Tertiary institution, and a couple of years down this road to greatness, I'm still in awe at how they get validated in my everyday contact with my fellow countrymen....

Africa (by extension, Nigeria) has become a continent where almost everyone begs... Some beg because it seems to be the last resort (or so they keep telling themselves), certain others beg to keep from touching a dime of their earnings (Pathetic misers), few truly are at a genuine crossroad, and there are those that have made a "wonderful" habit of such anomaly.

However, begging goes beyond seeking alms from people around regardless of the above categories... Some have turned this into a means of revenue generation, coming up with mind blowing formats to convince you to part with loose change or hard earned dough, after carefully searing through your conscience...

Begging has been a societal norm for centuries unknown, but the growing inability to differentiate between those financially incapacitated, and those scheming to make quick bucks without exerting themselves, has made even the good philanthropists turn blind eyes and deaf ears to all.

So, to all those who see begging as a means to swindle folks, have a little conscience to realize that there are others genuinely in need of financial assistance as their last resort.

Direct your enquiries up North. This is their area of specialization.

EkunKekere:
Direct your enquiries up North. This is their area of specialization.

Are you saying there are more corporate beggars up North than in the South??!...

Begging is a universal thing, and has been a norm for centuries... But, turning it into a scheme to swindle people is quite nascent.

If you're referring to those people who dress in suits and ties and spin elaborate yarns in order to persuade you to part with your money, then those persons are not beggars in the true sense of the word. There's no such thing as a "corporate beggar." A more fitting description for such people is that they are fraudsters, plain and simple.

If you're looking for people who beg for a living and don't have any remorse or embarrassment while doing it, head North.

Angelfrost:


Are you saying there are more corporate beggars up North than in the South??!...

Begging is a universal thing, and has been a norm for centuries... But, turning it into a scheme to swindle people is quite nascent.

EkunKekere:
If you're referring to those people who dress in suits and ties and spin elaborate yarns in order to persuade you to part with your money, then those persons are not beggars in the true sense of the word. There's no such thing as a "corporate beggar." A more fitting description for such people is that they are fraudsters, plain and simple.

If you're looking for people who beg for a living and don't have any remorse or embarrassment while doing it, head North.

Yes, you have a good point. I have lived and worked in the far North.

But, the thing is, are there not individuals down on their luck, and beg due to no other option available especially where emergencies arise??! How do you tell the difference??! Or you just lump them all together as dishonest and look the other way??!...

Well, your topic asks whether begging arises from difficult circumstances or culture.

If MR. X's wife is suddenly rushed to the hospital and he's asked to pay 400,000 for emergency surgery to save her life, Mr.X suddenly doesn't become a beggar simply because he begins running from pillar to post, desperately trying to raise the money.

Angelfrost:


Yes, you have a good point. I have lived and worked in the far North.

But, the thing is, are there not individuals down on their luck, and beg due to no other option available especially where emergencies arise??! How do you tell the difference??! Or you just lump them all together as dishonest and look the other way??!...

EkunKekere:
Well, your topic asks whether begging arises from difficult circumstances or culture.

If MR. X's wife is suddenly rushed to the hospital and he's asked to pay 400,000 for emergency surgery to save her life, Mr.X suddenly doesn't become a beggar simply because he begins running from pillar to post, desperately trying to raise the money.

Fair point sir... Thank you.

Giving to the poor creates more poor people.

Once a beggar realizes that he or she can make money from beggin. he doesn't need to work anylonger.

Sometimes street begging is also a crime because it's a form of harrasment.

Charleys:
Giving to the poor creates more poor people.

Once a beggar realizes that he or she can make money from beggin. he doesn't need to work anylonger.

Sometimes street begging is also a crime because it's a form of harrasment.

I find your first line quite intriguing... Do you mind expounding on that a bit more... How exactly does helping a genuinely poor or needy create more poor/needy people??!... Besides, not every poor person begs, yet not begging hasn't made them any less poorer.

So you see that someone in Mr. X's situation is not in any way comparable to someone who stands by the roadside day and night with a bowl in his hand chanting "Bambi Allah?"

Angelfrost:


Fair point sir... Thank you.

EkunKekere:
So you see that someone in Mr. X's situation is not in any way comparable to someone who stands by the roadside day and night with a bowl in his hand chanting "Bambi Allah?"

Yes... Serious financial straits differ from outright laziness.

Angelfrost:


Trending is a product or offshoot of the viewing demography..... On social media alone, placed side by side, BBNaija will knock off those better shows by at least 5:1!!!.. Why??! Most Nigerian youths are not interested in education, learning, or innovation... If it isn't Gossip, nudity, clapbacks, etc, just forget your ratings!!!

Nairaland is a business forum, which makes profit from number of visits and clicks... How many intelligent or educative posts will produce such money spinning clicks or visits from the very same demography I described above??!

It's simple money mathematics!!!... If nonsense will get Mr. Seun paid, nonsense it shall be on FP!!!

If it is nonsense you want to bombard your head with leaving you in a state of brain emergency, nonsense it shall be all the days of your brain.

Nigerianleleyi0:



If it is nonsense you want to bombard your head with leaving you in a state of brain emergency, nonsense it shall be all the days of your brain.

No need taking this personally... This has absolutely nothing to do with me since I'm not on that bandwagon...

I simply pointed out the clear facts about social media business! Whoever the cap fits, should wear it well! Don't you know there are drug or alcohol dealers who stay clean and sober through out their lives??!...

You think Seun spends his time reading and commenting on what fills his Front page??! Maybe you haven't seen the threads he comments and visits.

Angelfrost:


I find your first line quite intriguing... Do you mind expounding on that a bit more... How exactly does helping a genuinely poor or needy create more poor/needy people??!... Besides, not every poor person begs, yet not begging hasn't made them any less poorer.

Let me help answer your question?
Once you give a begger money, you have finished the person.
Let me explain... Once you receive money from any source it send a endorphin shot into your brain. You feel good and fulfilled... Also you want more... The more you get more money from same source, your demand increase.

The problem with giving and receiving from begging is it is not sustainable and also a part of you dies when you stoop low to beg ... But once you start receiving money from begging, overtime you become addicted to it.

You might have money in your account yet you would feel like begging.. you might be living larger and your backup would be begging...

And after a while, your personality and confidence is dead, you can't help yourself anymore and nobody is willing to give you twice... You become a walking dead, wandering on Twitter and Nairaland begging...

Same way, if you earn money, you feel good. You want to earn more. The advantage is you in control and people giving you the money you earn are doing so for their own benefit and interest and that is sustainable because human want and need is inexhaustible.

EkunKekere:
Well, your topic asks whether begging arises from difficult circumstances or culture.

If MR. X's wife is suddenly rushed to the hospital and he's asked to pay 400,000 for emergency surgery to save her life, Mr.X suddenly doesn't become a beggar simply because he begins running from pillar to post, desperately trying to raise the money.

Cases of that of Mr X is everywhere... It could be as serious as a life and death situation or school fees or rent etc.

One thing I found out is 99/100 times after Mr X have stoop low, throwaway his dignity and manhood to beg for situation like this HE ENDS UP GETTING NOTHING. He gets something like "Business is bad," or "Buhari has spoil everything", but manage this one.

He walks away loosing everything for nothing.

Only for Mr X to die, same people would spend millions to bury him.

And they would not feel guilty for perhaps they had helped me before when his son was sick...

Kazim88:


Let me help answer your question?
Once you give a begger money, you have finished the person.
Let me explain... Once you receive money from any source it send a endorphin shot into your brain. You feel good and fulfilled... Also you want more... The more you get more money from same source, your demand increase.

The problem with giving and receiving from begging is it is not sustainable and also a part of you dies when you stoop low to beg ... But once you start receiving money from begging, overtime you become addicted to it.

You might have money in your account yet you would feel like begging.. you might be living larger and your backup would be begging...

And after a while, your personality and confidence is dead, you can't help yourself anymore and nobody is willing to give you twice... You become a walking dead, wandering on Twitter and Nairaland begging...

Same way, if you earn money, you feel good. You want to earn more. The advantage is you in control and people giving you the money you earn are doing so for their own benefit and interest and that is sustainable because human want and need is inexhaustible.

Thank you for this... This was quite enlightening!!!

Angelfrost:


No need taking this personally... This has absolutely nothing to do with me since I'm not on that bandwagon...

I simply pointed out the clear facts about social media business! Whoever the cap fits, should wear it well! Don't you know there are drug or alcohol dealers who stay clean and sober through out their lives??!...

You think Seun spends his time reading and commenting on what fills his Front page??! Maybe you haven't seen the threads he comments and visits.

Okay.