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In the UK there’s something called Food Bank, and there’s The Job Seekers’ Allowance. A food bank is a non-profit, charitable organization that distributes food to those who have difficulty purchasing enough food to avoid hunger. And Job Seekers’ Allowance is a form of unemployment benefit paid by the Government to people who are unemployed and actively seeking work. It is part of the social security benefits system and is intended to cover living expenses while the claimant is out of work.
I understand that people are supposed to work hard to be able provide food and shelter for themselves and their dependents (such as their spouse, kids and aging parents), and not totally depend on government handouts, but sometimes bad things happen and you may lose your job, business or your home, and during these very difficult times it is the duty of the government to help you get back on your feet.
When the unemployed and most vulnerable in a society are assisted with temporary shelter, free meals, a bit of pocket money and some help in gaining valuable skills to be able to find work or create a business, the rate of crime, alcoholism, drug abuse and other filthy behaviours will be drastically reduced, and government officials would not need to move about with heavily armed security convoys anymore, and the very wealthy would not be worried about getting kidnapped or having a member of their family kidnapped for ransom.
When I was in Jos, I saw a lot of vulnerable and desperate kids begging in the streets. The sight was very depressing and worrying, I had never seen anything like that before until I visited Jos. The kids looked very hungry, dirty and dejected. No one cared or gave them a second look. This was ten years ago, I’m very sure if I return to Jos today I’ll see a new batch of kids doing the exact same thing and in the same very sad state. The ones I met ten years ago are probably now armed robbers and murderers; some of them may have been killed in crime related violence and some may also be fighting for Boko Haram. If the government of Plateau State was serious and knew a thing or two about governance, those kids could have been saved.
I don’t know Governor Ayo Foyose personally. I may also disagree with some of his choices; but this very initiative of his government providing some assistance -in form of food and cash- to the poor and vulnerable in his state – I like very much. I would like to encourage the Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahya Bello to set up something similar – or better – in Kogi State. A new ministry/agency should be set up to cater for the needs and wellbeing of the homeless and most vulnerable people within the state.
– Suleiman writes from London, UK.
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