There are millions of Almajiris in Northern Nigeria who are denied western education and therefore disenfranchised for life from contesting any elective office or holding formal employment. A greater share of the blame for this phenomenon goes to the parents of these Almajiris who do not care about the health, feeding, clothing, moral upbringing and general welfare of these children. Society must not however fold its arms and say "they have parents why should I care?"
There is currently a draft bill before the senate sponsored by Senator Tafidan Argungu (Kebbi State) that has passed second reading. The bill, "A Bill for the Establishment of a Commission against Child Destitution" seeks among OTHER THINGS to introduce subjects like Mathematics, English Language, General Science, Social Studies and P.E. in the Almajiri Schools to go side by side Quranic education. It also proposes to place the Mallams who own the schools on monthly salary and introduce feeding of the Almajiris to curb begging. Those Almajiris who are passed school age, would be taught a trade of their choice.
The Commission is to be established by the Federal Govt. and funding will come from the affected state governments (deducted at source), UBE, ETF and Donor Agencies.
Your are urged to support this Bill and appear at the public hearing when scheduled to lend your voice in support of making these children better members of society with better hope for the future.
Can you imagine a 4-year old having to beg for his food?
Please send an sms (text) message to +234 8054102875, +234 8062352398 (Leadership Newspaper) or +234 8059100257 (Daily Trust) or +234 8055001961 (THISDAY) with the following message: "WE SUPPORT THE SENATE BILL AGAINST CHILD DESTITUTION SPONSORED BY SENATOR TAFIDAN ARGUNGU AND FORTY OTHERS. PLEASE PROPAGATE THE BILL AND CANVASS SUPPORT FOR ITS PASSAGE."
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There are millions of Almajiris in Northern Nigeria who are denied western education and therefore disenfranchised for life from contesting any elective office or holding formal employment. A greater share of the blame for this phenomenon goes to the parents of these Almajiris who do not care about the health, feeding, clothing, moral upbringing and general welfare of these children. Society must not however fold its arms and say "they have parents why should I care?"
There is currently a... (read more)