A Glimpse into a Disturbing Generation: Reflections on Youth and Morality

                Children Beggars 

Today, my companion and I found ourselves lounging by the roadside, leisurely observing the ebb and flow of passersby while delving into the intricacies of our nation's economic slump and the relentless grip of inflation that now seemed commonplace in our conversations. Among the usual parade of beggars seeking alms, a curious incident unfolded before us.

A frail, elderly man, hunched with age, shuffled along with the support of a cane, his hand outstretched in plea. Surprisingly, he was accompanied by a young boy, no more than five years old, guiding his steps. In a heartwarming moment, a passerby beckoned the boy and bestowed upon him fifty naira to offer to the elderly beggar. As they moved past us, the boy, unaware of scrutiny, mimed slipping the money into the old man's pocket but slyly diverted it into his own.

Swift to act, my friend rose to intercept the boy, retrieved the money from his pocket, and handed it to the elderly beggar. Grateful, the beggar expressed his thanks and revealed that this deception was not a singular occurrence with the boy. The boy's actions, at such a tender age, sparked a chilling realization...

As we mulled over this unsettling encounter, our thoughts drifted to a viral video trending in the social media depicting two boys, barely in their youth, who had lured a toddler into the wilderness and bound her. Upon their apprehension, their excuse was chilling—they claimed it was a lesson in abduction.

These disquieting incidents left us pondering the kind of youth we are nurturing in this era.

Ahmed Abdulkadir

Ahmed Tijjani Abdulkadir is a seasoned media executive, journalist, teacher, entrepreneur, and public servant with over 35 years of distinguished experience in broadcasting, media regulation, public communication, and education. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Katsina State Radio and Television Service Board and holds several leadership positions in the private sector. He is the Chairman of Namowa MediaHub and Barau & Namowa Agro-Allied and General Services, as well as the Managing Director of Broadsphere Ventures Limited and Managing Director of FASAB Foods Nigeria Ltd. Mr. Abdulkadir holds a Master’s degree in Development Studies from Bayero University, Kano, and a Bachelor of Education (Language Arts) from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He also possesses professional qualifications in journalism and broadcasting from the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ) Abuja, NTA Television College Jos, and The Thomson Foundation/British Council, and a Certificate in Digital Journalism (Reuters/Meta Journalism Project).

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