Isiyaku Ahmed
An education-based group under the aegis of Almajiri Restoration and Enhancement Initiative in Nigeria (AREIN) has lauded former President Muhammadu Buhari for the establishment of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-school Children.
The Commission is expected to provide a multi-modal system of education to tackle the menace of illiteracy, develop skill acquisition and entrepreneurship programs, and prevent youth poverty, delinquency, and destitution in Nigeria.
Amb. Sayyadi Usman, the National President of Modern Tsangaya and Children Development Association speaking at a press conference on Sunday at Tambari TV, through the AREIN National Secretary, Dr. Mustapha Abdulkadir said the conference was to specifically express gratitude and appreciation to President Buhari for the establishment of the Commission.
He also thanked key stakeholders who supported the struggle for the establishment of the Commission like Hon. Dr. Shehu Balarabe Kakale Shuni, Member Representing Bodniga, Dange/Shuni & Tureta Federal Constituency of Sokoto State, Hon. Aishatu Dukku, Member Representing Dukku/Nafada Federal Constituency of Gombe State, and Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Tambari TV, Hon. Ibrahim Makama, just to mention a few.
Amb. Usman called on Hon. Hon Sha’aban Sharada, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out of School Children to be inclusive in the composition of the structure of the board.
He said: “We suggest that stakeholders who know more and have been working on the issue of the almajiri restoration and the almajiri themselves should be involved.
“If our advice is sort, we have so much to offer because we have already designed our structure which we are sure will be very effective in the running of the day-to-day affairs of the commission.”
Fielding questions from journalists on the issue of issuance of graduating certificates to almajiri students, Amb. Usman said the owners of Almajiri schools have different categories of certificates like the Ijazah.
“Though many almajiri do not have the Ijazah; we are working to bring back the system of issuing the certificates to graduands so that the Almajiri student can use it to seek employment. Even with the Commission,” he added.
