Prostitutes paid to quit

Muslims make up the majority in Northern Nigeria

By Barnaby Phillips in Lagos

Prostitutes and musicians in northern Nigeria are being bribed to take up another profession.

The governor of the state of Sokoto who recently introduced Sharia, or Islamic law, has been handing out the equivalent of $40,000 at a public ceremony.

Attahiru Bafarawa gave the money to 100 lucky prostitutes and musicians at a public ceremony in Sokoto.

The spread of Sharia divides opinions

Each one received the equivalent of several hundred dollars. The idea is that this money will help them to embark on other professions such as hairdressing or the establishment of a small business.

The recipients expressed their gratitude to the governor, although some of his political opponents complained that the exercise was primarily a way of rewarding his own supporters.

Whatever the governor's intentions, the practice of giving prostitutes and musicians money to encourage them to stop their work has already been tried in the neighbouring state of Zamfara.

It is reported to have not been entirely successful.

People were grateful to take the money but rarely used it to set up alternative businesses.

They moved on to other Nigerian States which have not yet introduced Sharia in order to resume their professions.