Boss Mustapha,
secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), says almajiris would
become an army to deal with in future if they are not taken care of now.
Almajiris are kids,
especially in the northern states, who leave their homes in search of Islamic
knowledge elsewhere.
As efforts to curb
the spread of COVID-19, governors of northern states had banned the almajiri
system, and Kano has started returning almajiris to their hometowns.
At a press briefing
on Monday, Mustapha who is the chairman of the presidential task force on
COVID-19, said the governors decision was in the best interest of the kids.
“Most of them are
minors. As a matter of fact, by the time they get to their teens they mature
and become the Malams. And I think every government has a responsibility given
to it by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I think section
14:1, to provide for the welfare and the security of its citizens,” he said.
“And I believe that
the governors that are taking this option have that at the back of their minds.
The states in which these Almajiris are operating, can we say that their
welfare is being taken care of? Is adequate security being provided for them?
And being minors, somebody has to take that responsibility. And I said we
should look at it within the context.
“I believe that
notable northern leaders have spoken extensively on the issue of the Almajiri.
The former emir of Kano was very passionate about it, and I know the sultan has
spoken about it and key leaders in the north that if we do not deal with the issues
relating to the almajiris, we are building an army that would overwhelm us as a
people and as a nation in the future. If we do not cater for them, and provide
for their welfare and turn them into productive citizens.
“There is nothing
wrong about them learning the dictates of their faith. But we must prepare them
equally for the future. Equip them, skill them so that they can become educated
in their state and also productive citizens in the future, if not we are
building an army that would overwhelm us in the future. So, I want to believe
that the actions that have been taken by these governors are in context to
provide for the security and the welfare, realising that virtually all of them
are minors.”
On Monday, Kaduna
government had said almajiris from Kano are part of the five new COVID-19 cases
in the state.
I'm sorry for this religion called Islam where children are born and sent into streets of wherever to seek knowledge at the detriment of their well being.
ReplyDeleteAren't there knowledge places where this children are born?
As a matter of fact, some of these children do not even know their parents and taking a closer look, one will not even see where this children actually undergo this knowledge seeking but form nuisance all over the place.
Boss Mustapha, you are right;
“There is nothing wrong about them learning the dictates of their faith. But we must prepare them equally for the future. Equip them, skill them so that they can become educated in their state and also productive citizens in the future".
Common Sense is speaking to you I believe. The question now is; where is this common sense in relation to the dictates of your faith.
Nigeria would have been far better without the North