THE WORLD OF LAGOS BEGGARS WHERE MEMBERS PAY UNION LEVIES, LOBBY FOR JUICY BITS

TAIWO OJOYE

Helping himself to a gorgeous-looking bowl of rice and chilled bottle of a popular soft drink as his hands carefully flicked through each naira note from the bunch clutched tightly between his left palm, Adamu Turaki, 54, sang quietly but excitedly to himself at intervals as he rests from a tiring day at ‘work’. Having returned to the spot after nearly walking nine, energy-sapping hours navigating different street corners in search of potential ‘clients’, treating himself to such ‘feast’ is a tradition he never misses at such periods. His picture and countenance on this evening speak of a man deeply content with the day’s ‘business’.

But while the Jigawa State-born man swims in money these days despite the harsh economic situation in the country affecting many individuals and families, his only ‘business’ is not any form of buying and selling or even rendering a service – Turaki is a beggar, who lost his sight when he was 15. Even though he had solicited for alms back in his hometown since that period, it was until he made the long journey to Lagos – Nigeria’s commercial capital, 12 years ago that the pastures before him turned green. With three wives and 31 children under his care, the 54-year-old has hit gold begging on the streets of Lagos.

Source: Abuja reporters

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