As calls from different quarters to the Kano state government to effectively checkmate long-held behaviour of street begging gathers momentum, the state government sets to establish Anti-Street Begging Agency, with strong ties with civil society organisations and other stakeholders.
This was disclosed by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, while receiving the leadership of amalgamation of civil society organizations in the state, during the state Executive Council meeting held yesterday, at Africa House, Government House, Kano.
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The delegation was under the team lead of Malam Ibrahim Waiya, who led other leaders from different civil society groups, to further strengthen many calls for streamlining the fight against street begging.
Governor Ganduje said, “An agency will be put in place with the full staff to look into this issue of street begging. We just cannot fold our hands and see the life of innocent kids being wasted away through this menace of street begging.”
Reiterating that, street begging is an abuse of children, which, he observes “…prevents them from learning the religion and modern education system.”
While appreciating the concern shown by civil society groups, he assured that the state government would carry them along for the successful implementation of state policy against street begging. And for sustainability purposes.
“We are happy to receive you and we are thankful for your unrelenting concern. It is true also that, we must evolve new strategy in dealing with this issue,” he explained.
Earlier the organized civil society groups sent a letter to the governor intimating him on the need to partner with them in the effective implementation of the government’s Law against street begging.
The letter was sent under the platform of Kano Civil Society Forum, dated 23rd September 2021, captioned, “Urgent Call to Ensure Total Enforcement of the Law Banning Street Begging in Kano State,” and was duly signed by Ibrahim Waiya and Peter Hassan Tijjani.
As governor encouraged that, “Your letter is in conformity with our intention.”
