By Dare Akogun
The Kwara State Ministry of Social Development has announced plans to collaborate with the State Judiciary to tackle rising cases of street begging, hawking, child labour and other social vices through legal enforcement.
The Commissioner for Social Development, Hon. Mariam Nnafatima Imam, PhD, made this known during a courtesy visit to the Chief Judge of Kwara State, Hon. Justice Abiodun Ayodele Adebara, at the High Court of Justice in Ilorin.
Hon. Mariam said the ministry remains committed to the upliftment of the less privileged and eradication of social vices, stressing that persistent efforts to end street begging and child abuse have yielded minimal results as offenders often return to the streets.
“The best approach to forestalling the menace of street begging is through legal means where offenders are promptly charged, prosecuted and either sentenced or heavily fined. This will serve as a deterrent to others,” she said.
She emphasized the need for a strong partnership with the judiciary to achieve lasting results, while reiterating the administration’s resolve under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to safeguard the lives and well-being of all citizens, particularly vulnerable groups.
The Commissioner also called for the engagement of traditional rulers across the state as community gatekeepers in addressing the root causes of some of these vices.
In his response, Hon. Justice Adebara commended Governor AbdulRazaq’s leadership in promoting equity and social justice. He also lauded Hon. Mariam for her proactive approach to social welfare and institutional collaboration.
The Chief Judge assured the Commissioner of the judiciary’s readiness to partner with the ministry on the implementation of strategic action plans and legal frameworks aimed at eradicating street begging, hawking, and other related social problems in the state.
He affirmed the judiciary’s role in supporting the enforcement of policies that uplift the disadvantaged and maintain public order.
