The Periscope Global Reporter
…Almajiri – informal – search for knowledge system, as it is today, is embarrassingly beggarly, outdated and capable of degenerating to banditry, it should be abolished by being integrated into the school based system – Scholars
Immediate past senator, representing northern senatorial district of Adamawa state, Sen Elisha Ishaku Abbo has called on the governments at all levels and well-to-do individuals to initiate and support a system that would address Nigerian kids roaming the streets begging in the name of Almajiri rather than the genuine search for knowledge in a serene environment.
Abbo with supporters, joining his wife and family, made a call while paying a compassionate visit to some major Almajiri camps, otherwise known as Tsangaya in Mubi North local government area, where he donated food and other items as a social responsibility.
Items donated include grains; maize, rice, noodles and food seasonings. Other items are blankets, mats, clothing, and roofing sheets (zinc) to be able to improve the living standard of the seemingly abandoned by parents, neglected by government and vulnerable to criminality kids living in squalor.
The compassionate Abbo recalled how his caring wife, Stacey in 2023 visited the minors she regarded as her children in their respective Tsangaya and how she compelled him to join her in the present visit.
According to him, the visit was worthwhile, a call to contribute to humanity as a social responsibility, irrespective of origin and religion.
Abbo revealed to TGNews that the visit was emotional and heartbroken that made his wife break into tears, in sympathy with the way and manner in which innocent helpless Nigerians are being neglected.
“I’m calling on government at all levels to come to the rescue of all forms of Almajiri systems of education in Mubi and elsewhere in Nigeria with better policies because the kids involved are the foundation of a peaceful Nigeria,” he said
Abbo condemned the street begging the kids are subjected to in the name name of knowledge seeking, describing it as irrational, embarrassing and humiliating, lacking meaningful future, advocating that the minors who are subjected to such a degrading and disgraceful life must be properly educated and well prepared for a better Nigeria because they are indeed the leaders of tomorrow.
Abbo has revealed plans to support the minors get proper education to be free from the embarrassing Beggarly life.
Scholars, joining His Highness Sanusi II have earlier frowned at the beggarly-seeking for knowledge system and advocated for the integration of the almajiri into a well structured formal system of education.