PRESS STATEMENT      June 16, 2009

Kaduna State Government has established boarding primary school for the training of the Almajirai in order to check the menace of the Almajirai and child-begging in Kaduna state

As part of measures to check the menace of the Almajirai and child-begging in Kaduna state, the government has established a boarding primary school for the training of the Almajirai.

The Kaduna state Executive Governor, Architect Mohammed Namadi Sambo, announced this on Tuesday

He said that the school will commence academic work in September 2009 and will combine Islamic studies with Western Education curriculum.

The Governor who spoke while declaring open the Central Council meeting of the Jama’tul Nasril Islam also urged the organization to emphasize on the need for uniformity in the observances of all religious practices in order to minimize the rancor in such areas as Moon Sighting by the Muslim Umma.

The Governor said, “our efforts at advancing the course of Western Education as well as the Islamic itinerant education, received a boost by our acquisition of a boarding primary school for all students as a model which we hope will take-off in September this year in Sabon-Gari local government area of Kaduna state.

“This has the twin advantage of addressing our social menace of the Almajiri system which has reached a worrisome perspective in our society leading to all sorts of social vices as begging, hawking and child labour.

“We believe that apart from our stride in this direction, you could assist in fashioning out ways of rehabilitating these children to lead a good life and seek knowledge so that they could become less vulnerable and better citizens in the future.

“Another area of concern to the Muslim Ummah is the discrepancies in the observance of Ramadan and Eid days.

“Some of our Ulamas should also be guided as to their utterances on sensitive matters of faith that are capable breaching peace amongst the citizens.

“They should be guided to operate strictly on the teachings and practices of our Holy Prophet Mohammad (SAW). They should see knowledge seeking in the light of how it is being preached to seek both western education and the Islamic knowledge for our future good.

“We shall continue to provide the needed infrastructure and shall embark on meaningful welfare programmes that will improve the lives of the people to face the challenges posed by socio-economic situations.

“Our efforts are both noble and novel as we are intensifying our efforts in the provision of power which is a key factor in industrialization and a catalyst for other domestic activities, water supply, irrigation agriculture  both subsistence and commercial, poverty alleviation and more.

“I am aware that your meeting seeks to find a panacea for poliomyelitis which is gradually becoming one of the dreaded diseases of our times.

“As our foremost leaders and fathers, you have a great role to play in enlightening and even enforcing the immunization and treatment of those afflicted by the virus.

“We as Government, have provided the vaccines that will arrest the spread of the disease but our people have continuously defied all entreaties to compliment the efforts of government by being willing advocates of the vaccines and general immunization efforts.

“We are confident in your ability to find lasting solutions to this menace. Towards this end, we are willing to partner with every organization for the progress of our people.

“As I wish you a happy and fulfilling stay in Kaduna, I am confident of fruitful deliberations that will come out with the attendant solutions to the myriad of our problems.”

Governor Sambo also commended the JNI for successfully completing the building of its national headquarters in Kaduna and asked the group to, “to adopt a proper maintenance culture for the edifice so as to enhance its everlasting status and utility.”

Signed:

Umar Sani

(Special Adviser, Media and public Affairs)