SIR: What is happening in northern Nigeria, why are there so many beggars in Kano, Katsina, and other northern states?  Why are there so many northern old men, women and children begging for alms in Ikorodu, Ikotun, Obalende, Lekki, Sango and other parts of Lagos State, 1,060 km from Kano State and 992k away from Katsina.
   
While we all agree that children are a gift from God, we must also not forget that having a particular substance in excess is an abuse. It is time to consider birth control in northern Nigeria. We can no longer be fooled by religion leaders who encourage birth of children without resources to cater for them.
 
Islamic teachings emphasise the rights of children from birth, including their right to life, protection, education, and moral guidance, all rooted in principles of justice and compassion.
  
Though there is no limit in Islamic legislation about the number of children that one is allowed to have, Islam also does not teach having children without a means to meet their needs.
  
So it is encouraged in religion to have as many children with the obedience of Allaah and his worship, holding the word of Allah high, and increasing the progeny. Multiplying the progeny is also a provision for the person in life and in the hereafter especially if one nurtures his children according to good moral conduct.
 
Islam encourages parents must give birth to the number of children they can cater for.  But for the northerners, are you really producing tomorrow’s leaders in Nigeria or slaves and terrorists? It is not acceptable to see young men roaming the streets and demand alms, left over.
  
I left Daura feeling pity for the children the last time I visited and imagine the future of Nigeria with children begging with bowls with no education, any form of apprenticeship or a system to checkmate and re-orientate them later in life. These children are innocent but they can do anything just for N500 put in their bowl. 
  
In Nigeria, the states with the highest percentage of out-of-school children are Kebbi, Sokoto, and Yobe. Kebbi has 67.6 per cent, Sokoto has 66.4 per cent, and Yobe has 62.9 per cent of children aged 6-15 who are not in school but these states have done little to get the children into classrooms and rather build Madrassa while the children of the governors are in prime schools and projected to take over and continue to lord over the children of the poor.  

The government should discourage people from having children they cannot cater for, children that will turn out to be problematic to the nation. Religious organisations must also get involved. We can no longer be blind to the reality of today’s world.
 
Northern elites have let the children of the poor down for decades in the name of religion while their own children are living luxury lifestyle in and out of Nigeria. The children of the poor see advancement and a better life as the will of Allah. 

Northern elites, especially Muslims are weaponising religious to make the people poorer, and I wonder if they are practising another brand of Islam different from southern Nigeria or Saudi Arabia where Islam originated from. In 2023, Saudi Arabia’s GDP per capita was $32,094, according to the World Bank. Northerners must rise to liberate their region, adopt birth control and embrace technology that will improve the region.
Eniola Daniel, a social commentator and media personality, wrote from Lagos.