Govt to Empower Almajiri, Others with Vocational Skills – Sha’aban Sharada
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to building on his predecessors’ legacy in tackling the menace of almajiri and out-of-school children across the country.
The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children, Hon. Sha’aban Sharada disclosed when he paid a courtesy visit to the head office of PRNigeria in Abuja.
He said the commission is planning to unveil some basic literacy programs, vocational skills, and other productive activities for 20 million Almajiris and Out-of-school children by 2027.
He said, “Providing Almajiri and out-of-school children with vocational skills in demand can empower them with a brighter future and contribute to their economic and social well-being.
“Tailoring and garment making, farming and poultry rearing, food processing and preservation, fish farming and aquaculture, leatherworking, and others are primary skills we hope to inculcate in the children”.
Sharada further disclosed that their Commission intends to organize the first Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Summit in Nigeria.
“The Sokoto state government has pledged its support, and all the northern governors and traditional and religious leaders will be invited.
“Specifically, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alh. Sa’ad Abubakar, has promised to invite all northern emirs to discuss Almajiri concerns.
“Also, we will extend the summit to the Southern region and cap it up at the Federal Capital Territory,” he said.
Sharada added that the commission had carried out preliminary studies to uncover what has been preventing previous efforts at addressing the problems.
“President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration embarked on a programme to infuse the western education curriculum into the Islamic education system, so as to make the pupils more employable and to curb insecurity, but the initiative performed below expectation.
“What we realise is that the low performance of the programme is due to the absence of a constitutional mandate.
“There was an initiative, but no establishment or organisation backed by the National Assembly or national law to manage its activities. With the bill signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari, we have that now, hence we cannot fail,” he added.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), Mr. Yushau Shuaib commended Hon. Shaaban for his commitment towards addressing the plight of Almajiri and Out of school Children even before the enactment of the law establishing the Commission.
“We have watched with interests your dedication and commitment at tackling root causes of our societal problems when you were Chairman of House Committe on National Security and Intelligence.
“Even when you were elected President of Network of African Parlimentarians for Defence and Security Committee, your contributions have always being tackling problem from their roots.
“You now have the opportunity as the Executive Secretary of Almajiri Commission, to put into practice those recommendations in addressing the plight out of school children. We believe you can do it with supports of everyone.”
