Child Beggars & Almajiris: Open Letter To Northern Governors

Editor’s note: Throughout his campaign, Muhammadu Buhari promised to deliver change for Nigerians. Will the newly-elected Nigerian governors work together with him to conquer the many different and very tangible challenges? Naij.com guest contributor Eedris Ngene pens an open letter to the northern governors.

The views expressed in this article are author’s own and do not necessarily represent the editorial policy of Naij.com.

Story highlights:

— “Among different regions in Nigeria, the northern part has a disturbing amount of beggars. Not just adult beggars, but child beggars as well”

— “Today, the [Almajiri] system has been reduced to nothing more than children flooding the roads and begging. These innocent children are being influenced by bad people who use them to cause mayhem in the society”

— “Having a large population is not a curse but a blessing when utilized. The government should help create an alternative for these innocent children before this gets out of hand”

I congratulate you all on emerging the winners of the 2015 governorship elections that were widely praised as violence-free, even though we did have some small challenges. Hopefully, we will evolve beyond having to worry expecting violence each time an election approaches.

Whenever I travel abroad, I am referred to as ‘a Nigerian,’ and this tag remains with me as far as the country remains one. When abroad, no one knows my region or tribe, and no one cares. I am a Nigerian first, before my tribe or region, and it is with this respect that I believe it is my right to point out the flaws and suffering Nigerians go through no matter which region they hail from.

The main aim of this letter is to share a very disturbing reality that is being ignored and, in some cases, promoted in your region. I don’t know if you have noticed, but among different regions in Nigeria, the northern part has a disturbing amount of beggars. Not just adult beggars, but child beggars as well. This should be a disturbing eyesore for every well-meaning Nigerian. The children roaming the streets are supposed to be the youths and leaders of tomorrow, that same tomorrow that is yet to come; that fraudulent tomorrow we are constantly lying about and the tomorrow many of us finally gave up waiting for because our politicians enjoy watching the country in ruins and people suffer.

How then can these children have the determination, hope or even dream of becoming proud Nigerians and leaders of tomorrow when the very people who took oath to make their life better are totally ignoring them and pretending they do not exist.

There are beggars everywhere, but my main concern is the Almajiri system. Those of us who have studied a bit of history will agree that the Almajiri system was meant to be a dignified and respectful effort to raise the best youths the country have ever seen.

It was a well-respected system, and parents in the past used to send their children away for getting education. It was the Muslim form of discipline, the kind of Buddhists go through: a discipline aimed at teaching children self-restraint, morals, and taming their impure urges. This, no doubt, was praised. But the current Almajiri system is totally different: fraudulent, opposite and disgraceful version of what it used to and should represent. In the past, a leader would be proud to pronounce that he passed through the Almajiri system. Today, the system has been reduced to nothing more than children flooding the roads and begging. These innocent children are being influenced by bad people who use them to cause mayhem in the society. The children end up not gaining the knowledge and discipline they went to seek. The Northern governments need to have a coordinated approach to end this public disgrace.

A beggar needs a lot of energy to trek around the state from morning till night, so you will have to agree with me that they are not being lazy but rather feel this is their best chance of surviving. If begging was outlawed, just like in some part of Kano, these children and their parents would be forced to find an alternative to make a living.

I remember in early 2014, when I was in Kaduna, an elderly man used to hawk yam in the streets, and each time I saw him, tears came to my eyes, and I wished there was something I could do. At least I believed that, at such age, he should actually be resting and pampered by his family. Every week, we bought yam from the man instead of going to market. After some time, we stopped seeing the man. I became worried, but, to my greatest surprise, a few weeks later, I saw the man begging, walking from street to street. I was dumbfounded and sad. My mum approached the man hoping to understand why he ended up begging, and he couldn’t give us any reason. He was visibly embarrassed. My mum told him that if his capital for the business was tampered with, she could give him money to start anew. To our greatest surprise, the man did not come for the money. He felt that begging was more profitable and less stressful.

From the above story, one cannot help but realize that such only happens in a society that doesn’t see begging as a taboo or embarrassment to the point it has become a job for many. I can also remember some Almajiri boys playing music with their phone. Their phone was more expensive than mine, since I had a ‘torchlight’ phone with me. Again, I was disturbed at how begging is encouraged.

Your excellencies, these are your children, your mothers, your fathers, and those you swore an oath before God and man to protect. And in protecting, one sometimes have to take drastic measures for the greater good.

Northern Nigeria is blessed with many things. These children and beggars would be useful in making the northern region and Nigeria at large a great country, an envy of her neighbours. Having a large population is not a curse but a blessing when utilized (China is a case study). The government should help create an alternative for these innocent children before this gets out of hand. I had once written to ex-Kaduna state governor Ramalan Yero and I gave several suggestions on how I can personally help to stop this without the state spending money, but I was never called. I wouldn’t be surprised if my letter was never even read. If we truly yearn for change, we must start with ourselves and the immediate environment; various parliementarians representing certain regions must also get involved; textile factories that used to employ millions can also be kick-started again.

When we decide to tell ourselves the truth as a nation and concerned humans, only then can we truly move our country and world to a better and safer stage for all. We cannot truly move forward when we keep lying to ourselves and hiding from discussing issues that really matter.

Once again, congratulations! Hope your tenure brings the much-needed change in the life of ordinary Nigerians.

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