Case Study: Prevalence and Consequencies of Streets Begging among Adults and Children in Nigeria, Suleja Metropolis

Abstract

The study investigated the prevalence and consequences of street begging among adults and children in Suleja, Nigeria and its implication for counselling. Descriptive survey was adopted for the study, four research hypotheses were designed to guide the study. One hundred respondents were sampled from the four selected wards of the town. Data were collected through a well structured questionnaire by four experts in the field of the title. Chi-square (X2) and Rank order statistical analysis were used as data analysis. It was found that all the four hypotheses were rejected showing Age as significant factor in street begging. Beggars at different ages engaged in street begging in which adolescent have the highest population of 32%. Significant relationship was revealed between the age of beggars, perception of consequences of street begging, socio-economic background and begging. Regular sensitization, rehabilitation, a policy to punish the perpetrators, provision of sound education to replace Almagiri education in Nigeria, training the trainable ones in different vocations; Were among the remediating strategies. Advocacy campaign, constant sensitization, counselling on need for sound education and entrepreneurial education were the implications for counseling. Among recommendations made were government to prevent economic hardship, provide free education at all levels and job for all.