Addressing Almajiris Crises Would Resolve Insecurity In West African Sub-region – Group  

BY GLORIA USMAN, ABUJA – The Almajiri Child Right Initiative has said that addressing the Almajiri system would play a fundamental role in resolving the insecurity crises in Nigeria and across the West Africa sub-region.

The group which stated this at an event to mark the Plight of Almajiris in Abuja, therefore called for a deliberate action to tackle the plight of the Almajiri child across the country.

This is just as the UNICEF said there are an estimated 9-10 million Almajiris in northern Nigeria, saying the development makes the children prime target for radicalization and turning gullible youths who have been largely abandoned into recruits for banditry and terrorism.

According to the UNICEF: “Grey areas around religion and culture have repeatedly been used to justify the abuse and exploitation of the Almajiri’.

Taking a deeper look at the situation, the Almajiri Child Right Initiative said the current state of the Almajiri portends a real and existential threat that if left unchecked, could have profound consequences.

Accordingly, the group appealed to stakeholders, influencers both state and non-state actors including the international community and the government to initiate and amend policy that will address the plight of millions of Almajiri children in the country.

In her message, the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ms Amina Mohammed said every Almajiri child has a right to a life of dignity.

Mohammed said: “Let us protect and empower them by fighting for their rights to education, health, safety and nutrition. It is a moral imperative and our collective responsibility to guarantee them what we want for ours.”

Also speaking at the event, the Ambassador of Denmark in Nigeria, identified with the day with a promise to mark it every year.