A Niger Delta youth leader and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State, Hon. Okereke Godson Bishop, has called on the Imo State Government to take decisive steps to end the growing menace of street begging across the state.
Okereke, who serves as Special Adviser to the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) on Student Affairs, described the rising number of beggars on major streets of Owerri as “a disturbing trend that contradicts Igbo cultural values.”
In an open letter made available to journalists in Owerri on Friday, Okereke urged the state government to create “Artisan World” — a vocational hub where young people can acquire practical skills in plumbing, electrical work, masonry, carpentry, mechanics, and other trades.
He said such a platform would equip youths with employable skills, reduce crime, and discourage street begging, which he described as “a borrowed and alien behavior in Igbo land.”
“The proliferation of street begging in Owerri City and across the South East is a pressing concern that demands urgent attention,”
. “We are not known to be street beggars and criminals; it is a borrowed behavior in Igbo land. It shocks me to see able-bodied Igbo youths begging on the streets of Douglas, MCC Junction, Fire Service, IMSU Junction, and Concord Road.” Okereke said.
He called on the Imo State House of Assembly to enact laws specifically targeting street begging, describing it as a social menace that undermines the dignity of the Igbo people.
“Government must be sincere and intentional in addressing insecurity with long-term planning and strategy,” he added.
According to him, Igbo people have a long history of innovation, enterprise, and resilience, guided by structured systems and cultural values that uphold hard work and self-reliance.
He lamented that street begging and petty hustling among children have eroded those ideals.
Okereke proposed that any child found begging on the streets should be enrolled compulsorily into a vocational program for six months to one year, after which they would be reintegrated into society with new skills.
He further urged parents and guardians to take responsibility for their children’s upbringing by providing them with access to education and skills training.
Communities, he said, should also discourage the practice by refusing to patronize beggars and instead support rehabilitation and empowerment initiatives.
“It is time for us to reclaim our cultural identity and promote a society that values hard work, innovation, and self-reliance”
“By working with the government, we can eliminate street begging, empower our youths, enhance security, and preserve Igbo values. We are Igbos — we can make a difference and even export the best artisans to the world.” he concluded.
