The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has said the legislative arm is considering passing a law to curb the begging of alms on streets in the state.
Obasa said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on the sidelines of the launch of the Ibile Muslim Community Zakat and Sadaqah Foundation in Lagos.
The foundation was launched at an event sponsored by Lotus Bank in Lagos.
It aims to empower underprivileged Muslims and alleviate poverty by promoting Zakat, Sadaqah, and Waqf.
Obasa explained that the proposed law would empower the state government and foundations like the Ibile Muslim Community Zakat and Sadaqah Foundation to regulate aid soliciting.
According to him, the law will also ensure that donations reach the needy without them having to beg on the streets.
He noted that the rising number of beggars in Lagos necessitated the regulation.
“We are looking at how we can manage such situations to stop beggars from parading the streets of Lagos begging for alms.
“Following such legislation, anyone caught begging on the streets or aiding such, particularly among children, would also be sanctioned according to the law,” Obasa said.
Speaking on the foundation’s launch, Obasa highlighted the benefits of Zakat, which helps both payers and beneficiaries by eradicating poverty.
“It is important for anyone blessed by God to reach out to the underprivileged. This should start from the immediate family and extend to every other member of society.
“The essence is to make everyone equal, or at least to move people from poverty and make them feel comfortable,” he added.
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the foundation, Sheikh Sulayman Nolla, emphasised the foundation’s goal of unifying all Muslims in Lagos.
