Just recently, at one of the parks in Onitsha on my way to Aba. I watched with keen interest as three suit-wearing and bible-clutching men compete amongst one another the first to pray for the occupants of the buses b4 their departures. Then, one came to our bus and prayed for forgiveness of sins, for success in our various endeavours and also for journey mercies. Amen! We chorused at required intervals. Then he asked for money to finance his good works for God. He left for other buses to win more souls (for himself i guess) and then another came with an even more powerful lines of prayers. Again, we (they) made contributions for his services.
This style of money-making by such "prayer-peddlars" has worsened over the years. Their modus operandi vary, for eg, one may board the bus along other passengers. He preaches, prays and collects his revenue on transit and then alights at a given junction making way for another of his cronies to join the bus as the journey continues.
This "disguised" begging business must be very lucrative especially when one considers the risk involved and skills exhibited by such practioners. Some time ago, I equally saw some physically challenged (if truly they were) persons on their wheel-chairs lined up at the middle of the Niger-bridge express way chasing after motorists moving at top speeds for alms. The list for such begging excesses abound!
Initially, i'm usually dumb-founded whenever i come across these brazen displaya. But on the realization that this is Nigeria where anything can happen, i now look at them in awe! Have u witnessed any other begging ploy? Pls share ur story.