14th February, 2024
By Oluwapelumi Oluwayemi
The Ministry of Youth and Social Development in Lagos has launched a Special Task Force aimed at tackling street begging.
The Task Force, consisting of representatives from various government departments and agencies, was inaugurated today in Alausa. Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende, the Honourable Commissioner of the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, has been appointed as its Chairman.
During the inauguration, Mr. Ogunlende emphasized the need for the Task Force, citing the limited success of previous initiatives such as stakeholder meetings and awareness campaigns.
Key officials including Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, and Lagos State Police Commissioner, Mr. Adegoke Fayoade, stressed the urgency of addressing street begging.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Pharm (Mrs.) Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu, advised the Task Force to implement immediate, medium, and long-term strategies to tackle the issue.
Resolutions from the inaugural meeting included extensive awareness campaigns, issuing a seven-day ultimatum, conducting rescue operations, relocating beggars to designated camps, and advocating for stricter penalties for street begging through legislative measures.