Category: BIGSTORY

In recent years, street begging in Nigeria, especially in its capital city Abuja, has become a prominent socio-economic issue. This growing trend is not just a reflection of poverty, but also a symbol of the harsh realities faced by internally displaced persons (IDPs) and those fleeing conflict-ridden regions like Borno, Kano, and Zamfara. This article explores the history of begging in Abuja, its current state, and how humanitarian and governmental efforts can create sustainable solutions for those caught in this cycle.

A Historical Context: Why is Begging on the Rise in Abuja?

The influx of beggars in Abuja began in the late 1990s and has since steadily grown. At the heart of this crisis are factors like violent insurgencies, such as Boko Haram in the northern regions, and widespread economic hardship that force individuals to migrate to the city in search of better opportunities​

While Abuja is Nigeria’s seat of power and wealth, it also serves as a beacon of hope for those displaced by insecurity. Many individuals and families arrive in the capital with nothing but the clothes on their backs, only to find themselves struggling to survive. With limited employment opportunities, many resort to begging as a last resort.

The Human Side: Stories Behind Abuja’s Beggars

Behind the numbers are real people with tragic stories. Aishat Abdullahi, for example, fled from Borno State with her three children after her husband was killed by Boko Haram. She now spends her days begging at the Kado fish market, hoping for the kindness of strangers to help sustain her family​

Similarly, Isah Yahaya, a young man from Kano, was displaced by the violence in Zamfara. He now hawks kola nuts while begging on the streets of Abuja, trying to earn enough to send money back to his family through Point of Sale (POS) agents​

What is Driving Begging in Abuja?

The factors fueling the rise of begging in Abuja are varied and complex. According to experts, the combination of skyrocketing living costs, lack of job opportunities, and the displacement caused by regional conflicts are the primary contributors​

Many beggars, particularly IDPs, have no access to formal employment or social support systems. This makes begging their only viable option to make ends meet. The lack of government intervention and adequate welfare programs further exacerbates the issue.

The Security Concerns: A Growing Menace?

In addition to the humanitarian crisis, begging has also become a security concern. Some street beggars, out of desperation or criminal intent, engage in theft, robbery, and other illegal activities, leading to fears about public safety. There are also concerns about potential links between street beggars and organized crime or even terrorist groups who may exploit their vulnerability​

This has prompted the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to take drastic measures. The FCTA recently initiated repatriation plans to remove over 1,000 beggars from the streets of Abuja and return them to their home states​

While this move aims to restore order and improve security, it has raised questions about the long-term sustainability of such actions.

The Way Forward: Sustainable Solutions to End Begging

The removal of beggars from the streets, while offering immediate relief from security threats, does little to address the root causes of the issue. Without addressing the underlying factors—poverty, displacement, and lack of employment—these individuals are likely to return to the streets or move to other urban centers.

A more sustainable approach is needed to tackle the beggar crisis in Abuja. Humanitarian organizations, in collaboration with the government, can play a crucial role in providing vocational training, economic support, and affordable housing for displaced persons. These efforts can help empower beggars, offering them alternatives to street begging​

The Role of Humanitarian Organizations

Humanitarian aid is essential to breaking the cycle of begging. Organizations focused on education, skills acquisition, and economic empowerment must step in to offer displaced persons and the urban poor viable means of survival. By creating job opportunities and social safety nets, these organizations can reduce the dependency on street begging.

In collaboration with governmental agencies, they can help reintegrate beggars into society through shelter programs, mental health support, and the provision of basic amenities. This kind of intervention is critical to ensuring that individuals do not return to begging after repatriation​

Final Thoughts:

Begging in Nigeria, particularly in Abuja, is a complex issue that requires a multi-faceted approach. While government crackdowns and repatriation efforts may provide temporary relief, a more sustainable solution lies in addressing the root causes of poverty and displacement.

By working together, the government, humanitarian organizations, and private sectors can create programs that empower beggars, offering them the tools they need to lift themselves out of poverty and lead dignified lives.

Ending begging in Abuja won’t happen overnight, but with the right strategies in place, it’s possible to build a more inclusive and secure society.

When it comes to the Nigeria music scene Dbanj needs no introduction, he is one of the pioneers in giving afrobeat a name, a dropped-out chemical engineering student at the university of Lagos who to further his studies in the UK on arriving in the UK in 2001, he met Don Jazzy who was trying for a breakthrough as a songwriter and producer. 

D’Banj started hanging around the studio, making ends meet while working as a security guard. 

Don Jazzy told Kokomaster he thought he was a star in the making, and sensing that the music scene in Nigeria was “blossoming”, the pair returned to Lagos in 2005.  And together to form a music powerhouse called Mohits records,  That same year came the single “Tongolo”; the video was paid for by D’Banj’s mother.

It became an instant hit, and gained wide acclaim across the country. In June 2011, D’banj has signed to Kanye West G.O.O.D    His first endorsement was with an energy drink called Power Fist

The Dark Days of Dbanj

After several months of speculation and wild rumors, ace producer, and label co-founder  Don Jazzy confirmed via his Twitter account the break-up of Mo’Hits.

 After the breakup, Don Jazzy, D’Prince, Dr SID, Wande Coal started Mavin Records

While Dbanj launched his record label, DB records, in 2012, after leaving the defunct Mo-hits Records, He signed his younger brother, KaySwitch, alongside two producers, Jaysleek and Deevee. He later signed brothers, MossKriss, and Ralph Kriss, and the popular nollywood diva, Tonto Dikeh.

The news of Tonto Dikeh’s signing to the record label was welcomed with mixed reactions as some people felt she was not recruited for her musical dexterity, but as a PR stunt for the record label.

The Success of DB Records

Dbanj Records was founded in 2012 housing  Superstars like D’Banj himself, and a group of young successful music stars, Kay Switch, Jay Sleek, Dee Vee, Jsoul, and Tontolet,

The label was successfully built on the platform of the strong profiles of its founder who was one of the strongest players in the Nigerian Music Industry but sadly the label failed.

Releasing from Good Music 

Dbanj who was signed by Kanye to Good music in June 2011 was In September 2016, announced to release from the GOOD Music label. At this point, we thought Dbanj would focus more on this label to give us something iconic but that never happened

We can clearly say DB music did not do so well  I mean it never gets to the standard we hoped for despite a record label warehousing an A-list artist like Dbanj, at this point, one can boldly say it’s not just okay to start a record label if you have the resources, it should be, whether you have the right and required skill-sets to run it. 

Got what it takes to make it successful?

The inability to answer this question by label owners has left their label lifecut short. 

The Death of His son 

Daniel Oyebanjo  was born in May 2017  but sadly the child drowned in June 2018 at this point many sympathizes with the Koko master  over the loss of his dear son

The controversies

D’banj, has his own fair share of controversies. In June 2020, he was entangled in a messy drama involving the alleged rape of a lady in 2018.

In the wake of a series of allegations of rape, A Nigerian model scout, Benjamin Ese, had alleged that D’banj raped his friend on December 31, 2018, at a hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos. he claimed D’banj had raped Seyitan, (who is a friend of his), years ago in a hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, after she refused his advances at a party

According to him, his friend was forced to share her story after the Kokomaster joined in preaching against rape on his Instagram page as follows: “#NoMeansNo. 

Mehh another big blow in a form of an allegation to the Koko master powerhouse 

Being the strong man that he is, he was able to settle the situation.

Fraud Case

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission has arrested and detained Afro-Pop maestro, D’banj, over the alleged fund diversion of millions of N-Power funds to the toon of 100m in collaboration with some government officials

The multiple-award-winning singer was arrested and detained Tuesday after ICPC operatives reportedly forced him to surrender himself at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.

The reports alleged that D’banj allegedly conspired with some government officials to engage ghost beneficiaries in the N-Power payment scheme with funds meant for beneficiaries being traced to accounts linked to D’banj.

According to the information making the rounds, D’banj was subjected to a prolonged interrogation and was detained after a plea for administrative bail was rejected by officials of the ICPC.

We also gather  that  the anti-graft agency may charge D’banj to court over alleged fraud and diversion of funds to the toon of 100m  after concluding the investigation of the matter

At this point, we don’t know if he is guilty or not but for now, we leave it for the law to demine.

What is your thought on this in the comment