Street Kids As Our Armageddon

BY SIMON REEF MUSA

Since the berth of COVID-19 at our shores, street kids usually referred to as ‘Almajirai’ in the North have remained at the mercy of the pandemic. Though the number of these vulnerable children has largely been a guess work, the North is home to more 10 million of these kids whose survival depends on the generosity of citizens.

Considering the trauma experienced by these ill-fated children that have suffered under the wickedness of the Nigerian system, governments at all levels have completely abandoned them to their cruel fate. These Northern streets kids are often victims of deprivations and abuses of unimaginable magnitude, while institutions that are supposed to protect remain glaringly impotent.

Recently, some states in the North commenced transferring these ‘almajirai’ to their states of origin. As fear raged over the spread of the epidemic that is gradually walking to the roof at each passing day, some of the states are increasingly becoming conscious of the need to discourage the spread of the infection.

Bereft of any effective means of combating the pandemic, state governments have embarked on transferring these vulnerable kids out of their states as if that is the only effective way to tackle the spread of the virus. I was told by someone who should know that the constant transfer of these kids, which the source described as ‘exchange programme’ by Northern states, poses a great setback in the fight against the deadly infection.

One state government that has put up a spirited fight against Coronavirus is that of Kaduna state. Despite the many controversies Governor Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai has created, he has done well in controlling the spread of the pandemic. Warts and all, he has ensured that these vulnerable kids that were recently transferred to his state are currently being taken care of.

For those who don’t know, getting admitted into any Kaduna isolation centre is an admission into a comfortable zone where food and decent accommodation is available, with healthcare given round the clock. It is commendable that these kids are being properly treated for the infection.

Looking at the pitiable condition under which these children are carried to their states of origin, perhaps with the exception of some few states, including Gombe, these street kids have become the symbol of state failure. Against the backdrop of the rate of infection, the Nigerian state may be heading for the apocalypse in the near future. Why must children who are Nigerian citizens be abandoned to their fate in the midst of frightening uncertainties? When states resort to simply transporting these kids to their states of origin for fear of COVID-19, then, the journey to self-destruction has already commenced.

The constitution of Nigerian grants every citizen the right to live anywhere and be free from all forms of molestation. Coronavirus has exposed us as a nation that deeply enmeshed in contradictions. When a society is not working, both the rich and poor suffer. Though these street children are always the fire sparks of a supremacy fight in electoral contests, the failure of leadership to contain their negative impacts may all consume us.

The North, the house that Sardauna built, has become an epitome of a political hypocrisy that is endangering the survival of the nation. Despite being in power for many decades, mostly during the military era, our leaders have never found it expedient to tackle the challenges associated with street children. It took former President Jonathan Goodluck to think of building schools for these kids with the view to integrating them with the formal education sector. The dream of taking care of these children fizzled out the very moment Goodluck conceded victory to then General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) in 2015.

Considering the present fears and anxieties over the transfers of these street kids, the refusal of past governments in addressing the crisis associated with street kids has assumed a national discourse. These kids, we all must acknowledge, are Nigerians first, before being street children. They are part of the Nigerian dream that has gone awry. If we don’t take care of them and integrate them into the Nigerian society, we would only be encouraging the breeding of angry citizens that may fight the nation in the near future. Just as we normally reduce importation duties for businessmen and women to assist investors, we must also take care of the infirm and create a door of opportunities for all to walk in and realise their potentials.

I completely aligned with the view of some traditional rulers from the North that transfers of these street children be stopped henceforth, so as to reduce spread of infection and preserve their dignity. These poor children of a country whose leaders have absconded their responsibilities should be cared for and be provided with all necessary treatments in recognition of their citizenship. Our state governors, especially in the North, should not be allowed to further engage in this ‘exchange programme’ that has brought fear across the states.

The truth is that we have these street children because our government has failed the citizens. More importantly, politicians have resorted to using these children as fire boulders for their political survival. We must find a way of extricating this avoidable and complex problems called street kids or risk doom staring us in the face.

The painful fact is that these street kids have continued to be the anvil upon which politicians have rested their control and hold to power. Though these political leaders are quick to express their vision of educating these street kids, they are completely opposed to do that which they espouse.  

The North will never be the same if we educate these children for a better future. Educating Northern street kids can serve as a prologue for a just and equitable Nigeria. Realising that they may be consumed if these children are educated, the ruling elite of the North will rather prefer to have a mass of uneducated kids roaming the streets than risk the task of educating them for true empowerment.

The moving train of mass revolt may find quick expression in the injustice being meted on these poverty-stricken children. If government does not have time to listen and nurture these kids to become responsible citizens in the future, then, they must be prepared to face the approaching storm that will shake the foundations of our nation. Government must avoid the incoming Armageddon by educating and caring for these street children.