AL-HAU24news

From Suleiman Abubakar Lafia

As part of efforts to ensure protection of children from all forms of abuse and neglect and also ensure conditions that promote and support their growth and development, Nasarawa state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development  championed the enactment of Child Rights Law (CRL), in the state.

This was disclosed by the state Commissioner Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Aisha Rufa’i Ibrahim at the inauguration of  a 70-man First Aid Group of the Qur’anic Reciters Association Nasarawa state Chapter, held at Children’s Home in Lafia the administration seat of the state.

She said that in 2005 the ministry worked around the clock to ensure the Child Rights Law was actualized, and to further strengthen the law the present administration under the watch of Gov. Abdullahi Sule backed the law with an executive order to enhanced it’s full implementation.

” The administration has also demonstrated commitment towards reform of Almajiri education to enable it cope with the current reality and challenges. She stated.

Hajiya Aisha Ibrahim said government has approved the construction of three, Bilingual Model Boarding Schools (BMBS), across the three senatorial zone in the state.

” These in partnership with  Islamic Development Bank (I.D.B), Just as she added that already Twenty Tsangaya Teachers ( Mallams) have benefited from a five million naira grant each to construct befitting accommodation for their pupils through the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

She further explained that additional fifty Tsangaya Teachers (Mallams), are currently undergoing screening for the grant.

” In addition approval has also been obtained for the renovation of Shabu Almajiri School for commencement of activities in the state.

The state Commissioner of women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Aisha Rufa’i Ibrahim revealed that government has also carried out mapping of Almajiri Schools with a view to generate a holistic database of pupils to guide  effective planning and programming, which will be updated from time to time.

According to the Commissioner, the inauguration of the First Aid Group, which was a further

demonstration of government’s commitment to the wellbeing of the Almajiri children “is borne out of a long period of consultation and deliberation with the Quranic Reciters Association in the state”.

Hajiya Aisha Ibrahim Rufa’i, described the body as partners in progress who have taken up the challenge to use their structure to address the issue of their children begging on the streets.

While inaugurating the pioneer 70-member First Aid Group of the Association, whose

responsibility include monitoring the streets and public places to ensure that Almajiri children begging on the streets are returned to their respective tsangayas and their mallams cautioned to be alive to their duty of effective supervision of the children. In addition, persistent defaulters are to be sanctioned in line with the guidelines association and the law.

The Hon. Commissioner further stated that the action will be carried out within a three-month as trial period during which the progress will be closely monitored and evaluated to inform further decisions.

Thereafter, she stressed that government has exhibited appreciable good will, determination and commitment to ensure that the project sees the light of the day and

called on the pioneer Members of the outfit to carryout their assignment with dedication, passion and commitment, noted that the assignment is a unique service to humanity that only the Almighty will reward proportionately. She then pointed out that the ministry will remain committed, focused and steadfast and provide necessary support to ensure the project succeeds, and becomes a model for other states to emulate. 

She confirmed that the importance of children in the society cannot be overemphasized as special gifts and blessings from , Almighty Allah they ought to be raised in safe and conducive atmosphere to enable them discover, nature and develop their talents and potential and individuals, preparatory to productive and responsible adulthood, parents, guardians and caregivers.

Furthermore, those at overwhelm of authorities are expected to also promote their survival, livelihood and sustenance, especially the most vulnerable ones.

Earlier, in his welcome speech, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Alh. Hussaini B. Usman, said issue of Almajiri pupils in major cities, towns and villages in Northern part of Nigeria has become a serious concern to the well-being of citizens, group and organization over the years.

He also said that government under the leadership of governor, Abdullahi Sule has left no one in doubt of his interest and commitment to ensure that vulnerable and hapless children are saved from the trauma.

” Hopelessness, danger and other challenges that these and unfortunate children are expected to off the streets. He added.

Continuing that, Nasarawa state Government has decided to partner with the state Qur’anic Reciters Association, who are directly involved in the teaching of, Qur’anic Education to these children and also responsible for their welfare and wellbeing.

” We are targeting at they do not roam the streets instead of being in their various Tsangaya for learning, Just as he noted that this is inline with the consistent appeal by the association that with adequate support, trust and understanding.

” They have the capacity to bring the situation under appreciable control. According to him.

On his part, Emir of Lafia Hon. Sidi Mohammed Bage 1, Represented by the Madakin Lafia Alhaji Isyaka Dauda commended governor Abdullahi Sule for his foresight to remove children ( Almajiri’s) turned begging as their means of survival.

He remained both government and the newly inaugurated aid group officials and their members on the task ahead of them.

” For a program of this nature to be succeed a lot of scarifies needed to be done.

He added that education of a child is a responsibilities of all not government alone, hence there is a need for all a sundry to support government in this direction.

The monarch prayed for the sustainability of the program to save as gateway for other states to emulate Nasarawa state.

In his contribution state Chairman of Qur’anic Reciters Association Nasarawa Chapter Gwani, Abdullahi Aliyu stated that government has been assisting the association even before now.

He promised that they would not let government down of is effort to eradicate street begging in the state.

According to, Gwani Aliyu” our men are combat ready to seefulfilled, governor Sule, determination and commitment towards sanitizing the system.