The Kebbi Government has expressed readiness to partner with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to curb the menace of Almajiris in all the 21 local government areas of the state.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Tsahara Bawa, made this known when she received members of Almajiris Support Initiative of Nigeria (ASIN) Kebbi state chapter, Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday.
“The current state of the Almajiris portends real and existential threat that if left unchecked, could have profound consequences.
“Addressing the menace is not the sole responsibility of the government, all hands should be on deck in order to have a holistic redress of the problem.
“Some Almajiris systems have religious and cultural connection and government has difficult to address without the involvement of all the stakeholders in the state,’’ she said.
Earlier, the State Chairman of the NGO, Alhaji Shehu Umar, said that the only way to keep Almajiri children off the streets was by improving their status of their condition and provide them with sound Islamic and Western education.
“We should also empower them and their teachers (Malams) with vocational skills as well as healthcare services,” he urged.
According to him, the association has established a vocational centre for the Almajiris in Birnin Kebbi aimed at monitoring the activities of the Almajiris and training them on skills acquisition ventures.
He said the almajiris were trained in carpentry, welding, tailoring, knitting, counseling as well as education to support their quest for self reliance and keep them off the streets.
Umar said the centre was established in 2002, adding that it had graduated over 400 almajiris, apart from many others attached to various trade centres to learn how to be self reliant.
“We relate with all categories of almajiris; from the blind, cripple and others with physical deformities, part of what we do is teaching them handicrafts and other trades,” he said.
The chairman called on government and the well-to- do individuals to support the initiative by funding or providing materials to complement efforts of the association.
He said the group lacked permanent office accommodation, enough training facilities and transportation to expand its scope of activities. (NAN)
