Don Advocates Entrepreneurship Skills For Almajiris In Bauchi

By Ahmed Ahmed

Don, Dr. Muhammad Abdulkadir, Dean School of Islamic studies, College of Legal and Islamic studies Misau Bauchi state has advocated for enterprenureship skills for almajiris in the state. Abdulkadir made the call in his presentation at the multi-stakeholders meeting to proffer solutions to the almajiri system organised by Civil Society legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC) on Thursday in Bauchi. He said in order to prepare Almajiri for life and work in a rapidly changing economy, “The Almajiri education system needs to be reoriented to impact a repertoire of life skills like entrepreneurship. “That is informal entrepreneurship development training rather than formal education system. Almajiri Entrepreneurship development is about facilitating entrepreneurship training and skill acquisition among street urchins’ minds with the purpose of changing their set from begging and over dependence on Mallams to self dependence,” he said. Dr. Abdulkadir said the government should make a formal Almajiri education system with financial empowerment of the pupils after graduation. He urged for government, public and private sector partnership to encourage apprenticeship trainings that can be aligned with current and future market needs, “For low-medium skilled labour, including recycling systems, brick building, tailoring and other sustainable local business. Structured entrepreneurial training will equip former Almajiri children with the necessary skills and mindset to identify and launch new ventures – while also creating a pool of trained,” he said. The Don said the failure of the system posed a great threat to the society as these children will eventually be foisted on society without any form of life tailored skill Earlier, Mr Auwal Musat the Executive Director CISLAC said the Almajiri system requires a collective effort that involves state and federal government to map out holistic policy to address the issues around the Almajiri system. He said the traditional and religious institutions have a vital role to play in transforming the system considering that the practice is rooted in cultural and religious sentiments. Represented by Mr Murtala Muhammad, the Manager Health and Human development of CISLAC said the meeting was organised to proffer solutions to almajiri system for Bauchi state government to adopt. Also speaking, Mr Babayo Akuyam, the chairman house committee on education assures that the legislatures would promulgate a law to that effect.