Politicians Use Us For Divine Intervention During Elections Only To Dump Us After – Almajiri University Graduate

BY AHMED TUKUR, LAFIA –

A 29 year old former Almajri, who is a graduate of Islamic Studies, from the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Mr. Abdullahi Abubakar Goni, has said criticised the attitude of politicians to the plight of Almajiris in the country, stressing that if the same people are good for election, they must be made useful thereafter.

Goni pointedly said that most politicians particularly from the Northern part of Nigeria usually run to Almajiri Schools during elections for divine intervention and success only to abandon them after getting into office.

He therefore urged politicians and the government to work towards providing palliatives for the Almajiri schools across the country, stressing that politicians are to blame for the predicaments of the Almajris.
Goni, who is currently undergoing a Master degree programme, told Forefront News in a chat on the recent banning of ‘Street Begging” by the Nasarawa state Government, said politicians usually sneak to Almajri Schools to seek for prayers for success during election only to turn their back against them after assuming office.
He therefore appealed to the government and stakeholders to do the needful by providing incentives to the schools to enable them to cater for the almajiris.
Goni explained that most of the Almajiris are orphans that need the support of the well to do in the society by creating an enabling environment for the proprietors of the Almajiri schools to provide food and shelter for the children.
According to him; “Most of the Almajris are ready to settle down and study both western and Islamic education if given the opportunity”.
“I am an Almajiri and a graduate of the Nasarawa state University and presently doing my Master degree. I think other Almajris if given the
opportunity will also seek western education.”
Nasarawa state government recently approved a law banning street begging and also promise to reunite Almajiris that are below the age of 10 years with their parents.
The state government also said that it has discovered about 63,000 Almajiris in the state adding that 40,000 of the number are indigenes of the state while 23, 000 are non-indigenes that came from other states of the federation.