‘Techno-Mendicancy’​: A Fast Rising Global Industry.

 With the growth of information technology ,internet, mobile devices and app development, a lot of industries are being birthed while some hitherto existing ones simply take advantage of technology to innovate and make life easier both for them and their clients.

We have seen indoor games like Ludo,Snakes and ladders, Draft,Scrabble,the game of strategy- Chess, and even ‘Ayo’, being developed into computer and mobile applications that can now be enjoyed online or offline.

Its Chaldean numerology value is represented by the number 4 while in Pythagorean numerology its value is 6.

Cadging, scrounging, mooching, sponging, spanging ,panhandling or begging is the practice of imploring others to grant a favor , often a gift of money, with little or no expectation of reciprocation . A person doing such is called a beggar, panhandler, or mendicant.

Traditionally, the world over, Beggars may be found in public places such as transport routes, urban parks, and near busy markets,bus stations, pedestrian bridges, parks, shopping malls, ceremonial gatherings (marriage reception, naming ceremonies,burial ceremonies) etc.

A new trend however, which is fast becoming an industry is ‘Techno-Mendicancy’. This is the practice of continuous engagement of phones, computers, internet apps and other technological devices to entreat,cajole,implore,solicit, appeal, beseech, someone or group of persons to grant favours often in gift of money, airtime, internet data(‘mb’,as is referred to in some climes), etc,with little or no expectations of reciprocation.

Unlike traditional begging were the beggar has to be present physically under the scorching heat of the sun and wetness of the rain, some attributes however, makes techno-mendicancy stand out and attractive; amongst which are its simplicity, stylishness,prestige, and sometimes anonymity attached to it.

When compared to traditional begging, Techno- Mendicancy, presents a look, more profitable and attractive especially in terms of the amount usually realised per bid/asking.

Items of interest range from airtime, data,cash( bank transfers) food stuff, Tfare, etc. The fascinating part is that this seems to be an industry dominated by undergrads,and young stars who are yet to secure admission into higher institutions, who lack the means to do so or who are just not interested in doing so.

Those who are in the institutions usually use some common lines- ‘’My foodstuff is already finished and I don’t have anything to eat. Please, send me any amount you have’’. “Please am in the middle of an important online… and my ‘mb’ is finished, please ‘sub’ for me”.

As business activities increase daily in the industry,so does the lines and elevators grow.