Bauchi Stakeholders Advocate Inclusion Of Almajiri System In Annual Budget

By Ahmed Ahmed, Bauchi

Stakeholders in Bauchi state have advocated for the inclusion of the Almajiris system into the annual budget of the state.

The stakeholders made the call during an Advocacy visit to the relevant ministries, organised by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC) on Thursday in Bauchi.

Hajiya Jamila Sule, representative of civil society of (CSO) said there is a need to overhaul the Almajiri education system and their welfare to go with the modern realities in the world.

“Budgetary provision should be made in the state annual budgets to cater for the welfare of the Almajiri system for sustainable impact.

“Instead of ad-hoc interventions by the government that don’t have a future and deny the almajiris right and opportunities,” Sule said.

Hajiya Sule stressed that funds and resources set aside for almajiri intervention should be given directly to their uptakers to avoid diversion. 

Also speaking, Mrs Lovelyn Gabriel, from CISLAC urged Stakeholders and government officials to expedite efforts in the passing of child protection laws that align with the culture and beliefs of the people of the state.

“Piece of legislation will go a long way to protect the rights of every child in the state, especially almajiris,” she said.

Gabriel appealed to stakeholders to be committed to propagating the plight of the Almajiri and should also look like members of Nigerian communities that deserved maximum attention.

She regretted that the Almajiris were neglected and that poor attention and improper recognition had endangered their lives with negative effects on education, health systems.

On her part, Mrs Comfort Attah, Executive Director, Attah Sisters Helping Hand (ASHH) called for the integration of the Almajiri system with the conventional educational system.

“To ensure that the children learn both Western and Islamic knowledge simultaneously.

“The need to also upgrade the existing structures for better Impact on the Almajiri system,” she said.

Responding, Mr Jibrin Yusuf, Director Donor Technical and Cooperation of the state Ministry of Budget and planning urged the stakeholders to advocate to the relevant ministries for inclusion of the Almajiri system in their budget.

He assured that any relevant ministries that give provision of Almajiri system funding in its annual budget would be considered.

Our correspondent reports that the Stakeholders paid Advocacy visits to the relevant ministries that includes, Education, Women and child Development, Religious affairs and Budget and Planning among others.