ndu_chucks:

Beef & co.,  I'd suggest that you read up and understand the difference between an Almajiri and a poor begger.  Once you've done that, you may understand what Rhino is attempting to get across to you. Stubborn(and ethnically biased) positions that becloud your understanding of simple concepts, are not signs of intellectual maturity. Olodo

What point are you trying to make exactly? Are you supporting the ridiculous claim that almajiri's aren't destitute and some actually own tens of houses? Tell that to the wind.

Almajiri's are destitute urchins, sent away from the love and care of a home at very tender ages to fend for themselves in Koranic schools. They learn Arabic, which is of absolutely no benefit to their employment prospects in society; they also grow up deeply immersed in religion and no grounding in the social skills needed to mix and interact with wider society.
The almajiri system naturally cuts the kids from society, creating legions of destitute societal misfits that must BEG, steal or kill for survival. To realise that we have 10 million of such grossly abused kids is truly mind boggling; for the umteenth time, a full two thirds of the Worlds nations have a smaller population (thats 66%).

By the way, everything Rhino suggested has been tried and has failed woefully (notably by Sokoto state, which has promulgated all sorts of laws). The problem is not one that can be solved with rigid law and order; it is a regionaly accepted way of life that can only be tackled with love, intelligence and wisdom, and thats GEJ's approach.

[size=14pt]Mr Jonathan should abandon this policy it would not work, it would just be a bottomless pit of wastage. In fact the policy would encourage the parents of these children to continue procreating to kingdom comes,  knowing the kids would end up being " omo ijoba" govt pickin. What of if all the alamenjeris from Niger, Chad and Mali start trooping into Nigerian knowing the Nigerian government is a benevolent host.

This policy should be scrapped and left at the top shelve as one of those election promises that would never come to fruition after all if Mr Jonathan Wins he would not be seeking a second term.[/size]

againstGEJ:

Where is the support for claims that these Almajiris are supported by or with injunctions of Islam? We need to see as well. It should be written in the qua ran then?

Oh . . . look up the meaning of the word itself for a start. There is actually evidence to show it is some islamic scholarship system.

http://www.gamji.com/article8000/NEWS8282.htm

http://www.conss.net/almajiri.htm

Some people just read the title and bam - makes a point.

The President said:

"Last year Valentine Uche Chukwuma asked what my plans were for itinerant scholars found mostly in Northern Nigeria and commonly referred to as Almajiri. Though I responded then, I want to give further feedback of the fact that the FG by my direct intervention made provision this year to build boarding houses for them so they learn under a conducive environment and grow up to be adequately prepared for life. GEJ"

Which "policy" did he mention? Did he say he will scrap their practice? whether it is an islamic injunction or not? This is how people cry for no just reason. He referred to them distinguishably as "Itinerant Scholars" - and he said "by my direct intervention made provision this year to build boarding houses for them so they learn under a conducive environment and grow up to be adequately prepared for life".

Meaning, they wont stop their practice, they will do it under conducive environment. So, which of these are you faulting? The fact that he wants them to learn under normal conditions? Or which of the above statement is a "policy" and which part of the statement is being faulted?

Na wa o.

. . . and who pays for their upkeep?

Are we going to start welfare in Nigeria?

My culture does not permit welfare because it leads to laziness.