...about education in Africa
Profile Information
- About Me:
- Kingsley Aigbona
Kingsley Aigbona is an adventurous young man who loves originality, creativity and believes anyone can achieve his dreams if he pursues them. Though a Science Laboratory Technologist by training, the last time Kingsley went to a lab was the day he wrote his final examinations at the University of Benin. He is the founder and Editor-In-Chief of TRIUMPH!, an entertainment magazine with a personal development and inpiration/motivation orientation. Kingsley is a co-author of The unlikely Burden & Other Stories jointly published by Sasa Sema Publishing Ltd, Kenya and the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA). His books would be published soon as he is having talks with some renowned publishers in the United States already. He is the facilitator of the Great Nigeria Project (GNP) seminars. The GNP is the platform on which Kingsley 'gives back.' He teach young people subjects such as Entrepreneurship, Goals & Dreams, National Responsibility, Ideas, etc.
- Occupation
- Professional (Private Sector)
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Today (7th May) is my birthday and I am looking back into my past. So many pleasant and unpleasant experiences, you bet. But I have had opportunities in life. That is why I am where I am and what I am today. But there are some kids in Ring Road, Benin City, Nigeria who may never have the opportunities I have had in my life. So, I have written this to create awareness on what they are going through…
So many cars ply Ring Road, Benin City, Nigeria every day. If you decide to take a comprehensive count for just a day, you will not have enough time to eat, bathe or do anything worthwhile. A large percentage of the cars that ply this popular road are very expensive ones, most of which are brand new. Just by the side of the road are seated some women, suspected to be Fulanis and Hausas from the northern part of Nigeria. They sit under umbrellas and chat while their children are left to beg and bring the ‘returns’ to them. The women also beg when they are not chatting.
The kids don’t go to school and they are not made to learn any trade. They beg, barefooted from morning till evening on a daily basis. It is an issue that has brought me much concern and I try to draw people’s attention to it. These children are suffering right in the midst of abundance of wealth – such is life. What becomes of them when they grow older? I decided to check.
Since these children neither go to school nor learn a trade, they definitely become beggars all their lives. When they grow older, the boys get married to the girls (they get ‘married’ very early) and produce a lot of children to join them to beg.
It is no more a new thing to see a woman with a few weeks or even a few days old baby begging under the hot sun. They seem to believe that the younger the child, the more they would be able to draw sympathy from passersby. When that child grows up, he or she too will like to give birth to a child that would help in the begging. This is not a good cycle. We need to do something about it. It is happening all over the country and we are pretending that its not.
I think this cycle can be altered if UNICEF decides to establish mobile school units for these kids to learn. Begging affects the mind. A child that starts begging at the age of 2 may never have the right mindset to work hard. But a little empowerment can help him. If you read this, forward it to UNICEF or any organization you think can help these children. If you have this same problem in your country, can you tell me what your government or other agencies are doing about it? Your suggestions are needed.
I would be interested in hearing more from you - please drop me a mail at cycleforafrica@yahoo.co.uk (my website is www.cycleforafrica.co.uk). Regards