We Must Not Encourage Onlline Begging – Ali Baba

Comedy legend, Ali Baba has had his say on online begging on social media in Nigeria.

The hilarious man shared screenshot of an online beggar who begged for help so she could feed her kid sister and said he believed this kind of format can be from scammers who are always looking for whom to pounce on.

His words, “This is something we must not encourage anymore. People using emotional blackmail to get people to fund their laziness. OOtoooo ge!!!!! I have shared on my page young nigerians who decided to go into small businesses like selling groundnuts, working in a bakery, hawking bread, sales girls, office boys, barbers, security guards, keke napep riders, car washers, mechanics, carpenters… all to keep body and soul together. This idea of looking like a slay queen and setting up a social media account and using same to solicit help is not going to get us anywhere.

That’s why 100s of thousands will flood reality show auditions. See the number of hustlers on Lagos streets, hawking and grinding daily. Some, make like 2K a day. Some make more. I didn’t get here by a stroke of luck. I have squatted, been homeless in Lagos, worked for free, took paid employment with #DPLekkiLtd when it seemed that comedy didnt pick up like I thought it would. Let’s stop encouraging this lazy behaviours. It will continue to encourage many who see others succeeding at it.

The girls coming to do pedicure, weave your hair, pick up househelp jobs, waiters at restaurants, ushers, and so on you think they don’t have pride or don’t have a reason to want to take their lives? Please, find something to do.

I have between ages 16 and 25, been in all kinds of jobs. Wasn’t any easier. Shoemaker. Bricklayer. Carpenter. Sand digger. Conductor. Bakery worker. Brewery worker. Extra Murals teacher. Kabukabu driver. Smooth mellow deejay. Break dancer… there are several things to do while waiting for things to happen. Begging isn’t one of them.”