Anthology on almajirci unveiled in Kano

An anthology of poems on almajirci has been unveiled at Murtala Muhammad Library, Kano, yeterday.

The 94-page book, titled Songs of Almajiri: An Anthology of Poems on Almajirci,  edited by Saku Aliyu Saka and Ismail Bala collected poems from almost 60 poets with the aim of being a catalyst for transforming the system and seeks to inspire all the stakeholders involved to tackle the menace.

Aliyu Saka said the book is an effort to put together a collection of poems written by concerned writers on ways of tackling the challenges of Almajirci in Northern Nigeria.

The reviewer of the book, Dr Raliya Abdullahi Maijama’a said the editors of the anthology must be commended for bringing together poets who come from different geographical, ethnic cultural and religious backgrounds, noting that the importance of the discussion on almajiri cannot be overemphasised.

“These obviously dissimilar poets are united in their empathy and sympathy for the Almajiri. The anthology gives voice to their disgust towards the rejection of a system that makes a mockery of any nation’s most valuable asset, its future,” Dr Raliya added.

The book presentation was attended by scholars including Prof. Ibrahim Bello Kano (IBK), Prof. Asma’u Sa’id, Prof. Mustapha Ahmad Isa, the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano and Mallam Bala Muhammad.

Others include the chairman Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Kano state chapter, Tijjani Muhammad Musa and the chairman of Kano State Council of Ulama, Sheik Ibrahim Khalil, among others.

Earlier, the chairman of the occasion, Mallam Bala Muhammad said the book has captured virtually all the issues affecting almajirci and hinted that it will serve as ginger for more discussions.

Daily Trust on Sunday reports that speakers at the event proffered various solutions to the challenges facing the practice and called political and social efforts to address them.