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Group cautions northern governors over proliferation of almajiri

By Murtala Adewale, Kano
04 May 2021   |   2:55 am
A charitable organisation, Al-Ummah Development Foundation, has warned governors in all the 19 northern states, to take action on the proliferation of Almajiri children in the region.

[FILES{ Almajiri

*Adopts 300 children into alternative integrated education

A charitable organisation, Al-Ummah Development Foundation, has warned governors in all the 19 northern states, to take action on the proliferation of Almajiri children in the region.

Beside, the group insisted the increasing number of Almajiri children in the north remain a time bomb that may explode soon, if governments in the region fail to nip it in the bud.

A senior consultant of the foundation, Comrade Ibrahim Waiye gave the warning at the official integration of 300 Almajiri children into alternative education system and distribution of instructional materials in Kano.

Waiye, who worried over the level of socio-economic deprivation of the children roaming the region, insisted the northern governments cannot claim ignorance of over 10 million children already excluded out of conventional system.

The social activist regretted the recent forceful repatriation of Almajiri children to their states of origin as alternative option adopted by northern government, adding that such tendency has generated more challenges than solution.

While explained that the children have the fundamental right to reside in any part of the country, Waiye stressed that the eviction has exposed the innocent children to danger and untold hardship.

He urged concern authorities to declare a state of emergency on the Almajiri system to devote more attention to the sector.

The consultant said the foundation was established in 2009 to seek immediate socio-economic changes in the region through moral reform.

He said it also to transform Almajiri and redundant youths towards proper Islamic scholarship, western education and vocational training.

Waiye stated that children, which are selected from Wudil, Gaya and Rano local councils, Kano, would be cloths and feed as well as provided with Islamic, western and vocational training for 12 months.

A member of the foundation and federal lawmaker representing Bodinga, Dange-Shuni and Tureta Federal Constituency of Sokoto State, Shehu Balarable Kakale explained that over 13 million Almajiri children and other vulnerable ones have been denied opportunities to enrol in the mainstream education.

Kakale, who is also a member presidential steering committee on alternative school programme, lamented the inability of government to accommodate children from low background in the conventional system, stressing that support of the foundation will further reduce social deprivation and poverty in the land.

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