Niger raises c’ttee to revive almajiri education

The Niger State Government has constituted a committee to resuscitate the almajiri education to check the out-of-school children issue in the state.

The Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Shuaibu Gwada, announced this when members of the committee visited the Etsu Nupe and Chairman, Niger State Traditional Council, Alhaji Abubakar Yahaya, in Bida.

He said that the committee was set up by the governor as part of efforts to tackle the issues of almajirai and out-of-school children as it was done by previous administrations.

He said, “The almajir system is seeking of Islamic knowledge that has unfortunately become a problem over the years due to neglect and proper care for the children.

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“It is regrettable the number of children that roam the streets rather than seeking knowledge.

“In its true sense, it poses serious social insecurity in our country if no concrete action is taken at this point in time.”

Alhaji Muhammed Dattijo Usman, secretary of the committee, said that they met with the ulama in the state to help in carrying the message to the grassroots so that the almajiri issue would be addressed at once. Responding, Alhaji Abubakar commended the governor for setting up the committee and congratulated its members, saying the enormous task ahead of them required commitment and dedication.

He said that children were entitled to seek Islamic knowledge anywhere, but that the practice should be controlled because most of them could spend a quarter of their time begging rather than seeking knowledge. (NAN)