NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER CALLS FOR A MULTI- SECTORAL APPROACH TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM OF ALMAJIRI AND OUT OF SCHOOL CHILDREN 06-11-24
By Sadiq Aminu The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has called for a multi- sectoral approach to address the problem of the Almajiri and out of school children in the country.
He stated this in Abuja while declaring open a three-day stakeholders retreat on tackling the menace of out of school children and reformation of the Almajiri system of Education.
The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu explained that there was an urgent need for all stakeholders in the public as well as the private sectors to collaborate and ensure that these vulnerable children were taken off the streets and enrolled in school, to prevent them from being used to cause chaos in the society.
Mallam Nuhu, represented by the Director, External Affairs, Ambassador Ibrahim Babani promised to support relevant agencies to bring an end to the scourge.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo Gwarzo who re-emphasised the commitment of the Ministry to the initiative, expressed optimism that with the calibre of participants at the retreat, a robust and implementable roadmap would be developed.
Chairman, House of Representative Committee on Alternative Education, Mr. Ibrahim Aliyu described the situation as a national security challenge and promised that the legislature would ensure adequate funding to drive the agenda of President Bola Tinubu of reducing the number of out of school children in the country.
The Executive Secretary, National Commission for Almajiri and out of school Children Education, Dr. Muhammad Idris who narrated the horrifying ordeal of two out of school children, said significant progress would be made in efforts to tackle the menace, with the collaboration of state governors.
Dr. Idris urged the participants to come up with a robust strategic plan that would bring a lasting solution to the problem.
The retreat brought together religious and traditional leaders, government officials both from the Federal and State levels, lawmakers, civil society groups and the academia to deliberate and come up with the best strategies to tackle the challenge posed by the almajiri and out of school children in the country.
The retreat was organized by the National Commission for Almajiri and out of school Children Education with support from the Office of the National Security Adviser.