Almajiri is a barbaric idea that mocks and abuse children in Nigeria, it must be abolished

Northern Governors have resolved to stamp out Almajiri"-Governor El-Rufai. Similarly, Dr Junaid Muhammad has this to say: "I don't believe the almajiri is necessary, I don't believe it is politics or religion, I don't believe it is in the interest of our country to allow this unhealthy phenomenon. It is economically counterproductive, it does not help in developing the country or developing the young men who are the Almajerai"

In changing times, toxic ideology and politics must be replaced with reason and rationality. Almajiri in Nigeria calls for caution and greater responsibility on the parts of parents, and state governments beyond ideology and politics or religion. Almajiri is a big social risk, a threat to public health, safety and security. The risk of encouraging their inter-state migration would be irredeemable. It's a big badge of shame that politicians of the by-gone age are politicising this decades of moral hazard, dismal failure of duty of care and responsibility for unimaginable purposes rather than seeking to abolish this barbaric abuse and shameful practice of exploitation of innocent children for nefarious purposes, despite collecting federal resources on their behalf. These children are breeding grounds for various social ills and security risks not pointless political and religious point scoring views that only expose well intentioned ruthlessness and recklessness. What happened to the numerous schools built by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan for the education of these street children. This is unnecesary politik of human stupidity which mock and abuse the children. Politicians use the children to inflate census figures to attract more federal allocations, use them to rig elections by registering them as underage voters, collect universal basic education and federal social school feeding grants, Internal Displaced Citizens grants, even Covid-19 grants and other federal palliative assistance funds, etc, yet they dump them in the streets and facilitate their illegal migration to various states especially in this pandemic period. Meanwhile their own children attend some of the world's best schools. I think they should be deported to their various states to enjoy the education and social services already provided on their behalf. The politicians and religious leaders should be ashamed of this immorality, failure of basic duty of care and responsibility. In changing times barbaric ideas and  practices are abolished and people become more responsible. Kaduna state is doing a great job in this regard. According to Governor El-Rufai, "his administration is reviewing state laws to ensure the system remained dead, and parents of almajiri were being educated to take up their responsibilities and send their children to school", this is very commendable. Birth control is one sure area that is very important in eradicating this henious practice. Toxic ideology and politics should not replace reason and rationality .We should not hide under the cloak of citizens rights to lose sight of political accountability, public safety and security. Almajiri calls for greater education and responsibility on the part of parents, state governments beyond politics. There is urgent need to invest in those children even when most of these states are in dire need of vital skills. Migration should seek to add value not endanger lives especially during this historic scourge of global pandemic that is ravaging countries leaving heavy tolls of human deaths. States should be firm in enforcing the iinter-state lockdowns to save lives. Its akin to the senseless killings of innocent people in various states despite land act laws and there is no accountability. Indeed, the time has come to replace certain ideology and politics of the 'gods and monsters' among us who don't mean well for the society. Again, citizenship should place responsibility on human behaviour not promoting barbarity and lawlessness that bring misery and discontent. The media and civil society must be vigilant and play their roles in this regard. Everyone wins if we do the right thing. Save lives, Protect the country! This pandemic is a great opportunity to think different, do things different and create a whole new society that will work for everyone. I learnt the Senate is seeking the revival of Almajiri schools built by former President Goodluck Jonathan to facilitate the integration of these children into modern education system in the country, this requires the fierce urgency of now, my view.
 Uche Okeke is the Founder of The LEAD Project Foundation. Read More: