Moses Ofodeme
The Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has said the state government has disbanded the almajiri system in the state.
El-Rufai also said that over 30,000 of them had been repatriated to other states.
The governor noted that his government is also reviewing laws; in order to ensure there is no reversion to the system.
He tasked the parents of almajiris to take up their responsibilities; and send their children to school.
El-Rufai made this assertion on Wednesday, May 6; during a media interview.
He said, “The Northern Governors Forum took a collective decision at a meeting we had about two weeks ago that we will end the almajiri system completely.
“Part of the steps we took was to return them to their states of origin. We also decided that each state government will take delivery of these almajiri; and return them to their parents and ensure that they go to school.
“We have repatriated over 30,000 almajiri from other states back to their states; and we are happy to receive any almajiri from any state of the federation that is indigenous to Kaduna.
“We have been expanding our schools, building classrooms to accommodate these children.
“It is better to cram 200 children in a classroom and give them some kind of modern education; than to allow them to waste their lives away and go around begging.
“Anything is better than this system and we are determined as northern governors to end it.”
El-Rufai said 169 almajiri in Kano, who were of Kaduna origin, were brought to his state.
He noted that though 65 of them tested positive for the coronavirus, he was happy they were repatriated.
“If these children were not brought to us, they simply would have died in Kano. Some of them would survive the disease; but the situation in Kano is overwhelming and I don’t think that anybody in Kano will want to look after them and test them,” he added.