Omotola Jalade Raises Concern Over Nigeria’s Begging Culture

Veteran Nigerian actress Omotola Jalade Ekeinde has bemoaned the nation’s current begging culture and criticized the entitlement mentality of Nigerian society.

The movie icon stated that she doesn’t support or encourage begging in any form unless it’s a life-or-death situation in a recent episode of Activating Success With Love Idoko.

She asserts that there is no barrier to employment.

She said, “A lot of Nigerians take opportunities for granted. And one thing we have to understand is that nobody owes you anything. Nigerians now have a culture of begging.

“I don’t support or encourage begging. I believe that there is no reason why anybody can’t work. There is something you can do. There is a kind of value you can bring to humanity.

“Everybody has needs, including me. There are some needs I have that if I was entitled I would go and beg certain people.

“So, don’t feel like because you don’t have money like me, you are the only one who has a reason to beg. At every level, we all have needs. But we are all struggling through it. Even if you have to beg, it should be a life-and-death situation.”

Omotola added, “Try as much as you can not to beg and be a nuisance. Begging reduces your own self-worth. If you must beg, let it be in a desperate situation. And don’t do it with entitlement.”

Personally, I believe some people beg because they are genuinely struggling and have little or no support. Although I don’t encourage begging, I also believe that a closed mind can limit one’s opportunities. The problem is when it becomes excessive like everything else, it should not be taken too far.