“Why I Don’t Collect Less Than N200 From People” – Kano State Beggar

Mallam Nuhu is a beggar who has a principle that he does not collect anything less than N200. According to him, he chooses those to beg and decides the least amount to accept. Hefty, bearded and rugged-looking, Mallam Nuhu is always around the popular Dangi roundabout in the heart of Kano city. Just like motorists plying the road, his attention is firmly fixed on the traffic light.

 But unlike those in cars and on motorcycles who are eagerly waiting for green light to proceed, Mallam Nuhu loves it when the traffic light shows red, which enables him solicit for alms. Unlike the numerous hawkers and other beggars who dot the area, however, Mallam Nuhu does not go to all sorts of cars for alms. He would only approach those in new, flashy cars.

In fact, even if you are in a new car and you are not well dressed, Malam Nuhu will shun you. “If you are well dressed and driving a good car, he will ask for N200 or N500 from you, and will not collect anything short of the amount. Motorists plying the road are familiar with his antics and modus operandi,” says a hawker who sells edibles.

As early as 7.am, the ‘first class beggar’ resumes his trade at the roundabout. His closing time is determined by the amount he is able generate. On a good day, he closes at 2.pm, but on a dry day, he stays till 4.pm. Nuhu told newsmen that he begs in a bid to a earn living. He, however, confirmed that he does not collect anything less than N200, because his needs are numerous. “I came here daily from a village in Bichi Local Government Area. I take commercial motorcycles from my village to the main road and from there I enter bus to this place. I have wives and children.

So, how do you expect me to be collecting paltry amount?” he asked rhetorically. He is so proud of his present trade that he became angry when asked whether he could quit begging for N50, 000 job monthly. “I don’t want any work, no matter the amount I will be earning at the end of the month. Please allow me to continue with this my trade. If you want to give me alms, good and fine, but if you want to investigate me please stop because this is my own business.

Go please, allow me to do my trade,” he said and left the area. A 56-year-old driver, Abdullahi Shuaibu said Malam Nuhu has been in the ‘trade’ for over two decades. “He has been in the business since 90s, because I could remember when I was working with a private company I used to see him around Murtala Roundabout before Kano/Zaria road was dualised. At that time, he will demand for N1 and say he wants to buy slate (allo). After sometime, he changed to N5 that he wants to buy grains. “As the value of the country’s money declines, his benchmark rises.

From N5 to the present amount, N200 or N500, begging is in his blood. He is a very popular beggar in Kano metropolis. Even if jokingly you give him N10, he will not collect it,” he said. Narrating her first encounter with Nuhu, a motorist Halima Musa said she was surprised when he refused to collect the N50 she gave him when he approached her for alms. “When he came to me and solicited for alms, I gave him N50 but to my astonishment, he returned the money and said I should give him the amount he requested. He said he wants to buy grains with it. I didn’t hesitate to give him the N200. When I gave him, he collected it and left.