Senator Rochas Okorocha has advised Northern governors on their stance on almajiri children which are getting deported to their states of origin.
The deportation has been as a result of the coronavirus pandemic with the governors saying the move will help curb the spread of the virus.
The governors also believe that the almajiri system has outlived its usefulness and is now being abused with the children left to beg on the streets.
“Many of our prominent people now, were once, Almajiri,” Okorocha told BBC Hausa.
“Help to educate these children, give them jobs, who knows one of them could be a President someday,” he said.
He went on to blame poverty and hunger as a major problem and not the almajiri system.
He explained further that “The system had its origin from the migration of Prophet Muhammad, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. When he migrated from Mecca, some people followed him in search of knowledge and they were catered for. They were not left hungry. They were fed.”
Okorocha also advised that the children should be subjected to care to enhance their standard of living.
“Some of us have excess that others don’t need. Channel such towards enhancing the living standard of such children. They are our children,” he added.
