A Nigerian man, Aliyu Muhammed has expressed displeasure at the attitude of some Nigerians who he said are comfortable with giving money to corporate beggars but refuse to leave “small change for genuine hustlers.”
According to Aliyu, genuine hustlers such as water and soft drink hawkers who are trying to make ends meet, are most likely to appreciate monetary gifts since they work hard to earn every dime.
In a post on his LinkedIn page he went on to narrate how he left a change of N400 for a hawker from whom he bought bottled water while on a commercial vehicle in Lagos. The young man said those in the same vehicle as himself saw him as unwise.
But it just motivated him even more, such that as a way of encouraging other Nigerians to follow his example, Aliyu said he has started a #LeaveTheChangeForHawkers campaign on social media to garner support for his idea.
In his words; ”While in a public transport today, a woman on my row started begging people for financial assistance.
The man sitting directly in front of me dug hand in his wallet and gave her N500, then others followed, she eventually got over a thousand naira within that short period.
Not long after that, the same man that gave this woman N500 then wanted to buy a bottled water, and the hawker had to run to catch up with us because the man wanted to give him N100 and he had to collect his N50 change first before handing him the N100.
The scenario touched me!
Immediately, I requested for a bottle too and gave the guy 500!
A woman beside me shouted…Ahh, let him give you your change first before giving him money!!
She looked at me as if I’m a “mutula”, a new person in Lagos wey dem never show.
As the guy was struggling to run and give me change, I bade him good bye not to worry!
The most touching part of the story is, even when I thought we’ve left this guy far behind as the traffic had moved, he ran to still catch up with the bus and prayed wholeheartedly in show of appreciation!
You know why?? He knows the value of that money, he knows how much bottle or sachet of water he would sell running from bus to cars before getting that.
The woman who saw me as mutula eventually went speechless!
Lesson passed in the bus! Simple
We all feel comfortable giving beggars big money but find it difficult leaving small change for genuine hustlers.
We unconsciously encourage begging at the expense of those who work so hard, that’s why you see corporate beggars increasing on a daily basis on the streets of Nigeria
We all feel comfortable giving beggars big money but find it difficult leaving small change for genuine hustlers.
We unconsciously encourage begging at the expense of those who work so hard, that’s why you see corporate beggars increasing on a daily basis on the streets of Nigeria.
Pls, I want to use this opportunity to start a #LeaveTheChangeForHawkers campaign.
Please, next time you buy something inside traffic or anywhere from these street hawkers, leave the change if you have more in your pocket.”