Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State on Sunday in Ibadan urged the media and law enforcement agencies and religious organisations to assist the government in its efforts to stamp out begging in the state.

Ajimobi made the call at the 2nd General Assembly of Muslim Um’aah of South West Nigeria held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.

Ajimobi, who was represented by Alhaji Ishmael Alli, the Secretary to the State Government, said that there was no reason for anyone to engage in begging.

He said that lots of those involved in the act had been committing several crimes.

“We have heard now that Islam forbids begging, likewise the government. We urge the media, law enforcement agencies and religious bodies to join government in discouraging it.

“The reason why government embarked on many programmes including the agricultural initiatives is to get all doing something for a living.”

Ajimobi urged religious bodies and other stakeholders to always support government policies as they are for the benefit of all.

Alhaji Femi Abbas, in his lecture ‘Zakaah and Poverty Alleviation’, identified zakaah was a solution to poverty eradication in the society.

Abbas blamed the increasing rate of insecurity, corruption and other vices on poverty.

Zakaah is one of the five pillars of the Islamic faith, which stipulates that 2.5 per cent a Muslims net income should be given to the poor.

He decried the alarming rate at which Muslims neglect Zakaah among the five pillars of Islam, saying: “Zakaah is a necessity. It allows the imprisoned to be out of jail and the sick to be on their feet.”

“If the rich can give to the poor, both the rich and the poor in every society will co-exist peacefully without.

“If Muslims in Nigeria can generate N34 billion on Zakaah every year, there will be less poverty and less begging.” (NAN)

•Photo shows Governor Ajimobi.

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