BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto –
The Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar 111 has decried that poverty rather than the desire for acquiring Islamic education could be the reason for some parents sending their wards to other places as Almajiris.
Sultan who spoke when Mr Ibrahim Sessey, UNICEF-Nigeria, Chief Of Child Protection, in company of Maryam Sa’ead, the Chief of Field Office in charge of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States alongside Mr Pius Uwamanua, UNICEF, Sokoto Field Office Child Protection Specialists, Dr. Godwin Odo, Child Protection Specialist, Abuja and other staff of UNICEF paid a courtesy visit at his palace in Sokoto.
According to Sultan, the religion of Islam protects the child and women more than any other religion, hence seeing these children roaming the streets aimlessly gives him and the State great concerns.
The respected religious cum traditional leader therefore submitted that, “majority of those that are doing Almajiri cannot go to school because of poverty not really because they wanted it that way”.
The Sultan said, “Our children’s lives is of great concern to us. We are passionate about educating them. We will put in everything because they are important to us. We feel sad anytime we go round and see them roaming about the streets.
“But the issue is that not all of those out of school children you see roaming about are Almajiri students but poor people seeking for food”.
While clarifying that this scenario often makes some to mistake Almajiri for beggars, Sultan said, Almajiri is simply an Arabic word for someone that leaves his place in search of knowledge.
He faulted the rational behind sending minors to other places in search of Islamic education during their childhood without proper care, noting that such children could acquired same within their locality and enjoy parental care.
On the efforts they are making in conjunction with the Sokoto state government towards remodeling the Almajiri concept, Sultan said they have built about 100 schools were the Malams will teach Almajiris to enable them get western education alongside the Qur’anic education.
Speaking earlier in her opening remarks, Maryam Sa’ead, the UNICEF Sokoto Chief of Field Office, noted that the wellbeing of children is of great importance to UNICEF.
She further requested the support of Sultan for quality engagement with the Sultanate focal persons on birth registration, health, nutrition and education, including equitable access to education for all including the Almajiri and vulnerable children
On his part, Mr Ibrahim Sessey, UNICEF-Nigeria Chief of Child Protection, said UNICEF will always continue to appreciate the contributions of traditional and religious leaders as well as other stakeholders in their quest towards guaranteeing a secure future for children.
Sessey further appreciated the Sultan for his continued royal guidance which saw to the realization of Child Protection Law being domesticated in Sokoto.
The UNICEF Country Chief of Child Protection, however, solicited the support of Sultan in supportting the convening of a State wide consultation with Malams, religious leaders, the Sokoto State Zakat and Endowments Commission and Arabic and Islamic Education Board and others to support reunification and reintegration of children including the provision of Qu’ranic education in locations where these are reunified.
He also requested for mobilization of community and state resources to match UNICEF funds for the programme, support advocacy efforts for the governor to allocate and disburse funds to the programme as well as ensuring reunification for Almajiri living without parental care hence keeping in touch with their families to make sure they live in the right environment, and ensure social cash transfer programme for Almajiri pupils.
Mr Sessey further divulged that UNICEF has concluded plans to make sure that 12 million young people have access to digital skills, adding there will be beneficiaries from Sokoto as well.
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