Leader of the northern blind men and women living in Ibadan, Alhaji Ibrahim Muhammed, has accused Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State of lying against them. Makinde has threatened to relocate them.
He said the governor lied that beggars housed at Akinyele Destitute Home sneaked out to the streets, saying, “As you can see us now, we are sitting at the Palace of Serikin Makafi, which late Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu acquired for us a long time ago.”
He said though they were happy with the newly built destitute home, they could not relocate to the building because there was no provision for food and water.
The beggars were house ain a new resettlement houses in Akinyele village built by Governor Makinde.
Governor Makinde recalled his frustration in resettling them, saying the government biult a new settlement at Akinyele but would not stay, instead the sneak out of the place one by one back to the streets to beg.
In the latest move, the governor said the beggars would be removed from the streets and relocate them to Kishi town where it will be very difficult for them to return to Ibadan.
However, Muhammed who said it’s not true that they sneak out, added that the real beggars were not the ones flouting the government movement, but the physically fit men and women who go around begging.
“Such beggars are painting us black.
“Therefore, if the government effected its decision to evacuate all of us from Ibadan to Kishi, then we are treated unfairly because most of us (blind men and women) have spent more than 50 years living with our families in rented houses in this neighbourhood, Sabo Ibadan, majorly populated by Hausa community.
He said for more than 45 years, they have married and had many children, adding that that they should not be mixed with healthy beggars in the city.
“We do not beg on the streets of Ibadan, rather we beg at the doorsteps of our givers, in the mosques and public gatherings as our kith and kin live in this new neighbourhood. They give us money, food and clothes for the sake of God,” he added.
