The Senate President, David Mark, on Wednesday challenged Nigeria's northern governors to urgently ban the almajiri system that has seen millions of children, abandoned by their parents, roam the streets in their states.Mr. Mark blamed the governors for encouraging the almajiri system, saying the system is "counter-productive" and had continued to undermine the development of the northern states.
He gave the charge during the senate debates on the Bill for an Act to re-enact the trafficking in persons (prohibition) Act, which scaled through the second reading in Abuja.
"It is a system that is counter-productive, it is a breeding ground for irresponsible miscreants and we cannot tolerate it," Mr. Mark warned.
"I had to call the man who introduced Sharia on the issue, because wrongly or rightly, I think he is knowledgeable in Islamic affairs.
"He told me categorically that the almajiri system is not an Islamic injunction.
"We must admit that politicians in the north have failed over the years to stem the almajiri system.
"It will appear that they have encouraged it, or for political reasons, they have been scared of making a comment on it," he said.
Mr. Mark advised the governors to take advantage of the re-enactment of the anti-human trafficking law to ban the "obnoxious" practice of the almajiri system.
He commended the Kano State Government for its recent statement banning the practice in the state.
"I think it's a unique opportunity for governors in the northern region to ban the system today. Today that I've heard that it is not an Islamic injunction.
"I think that system ought to have been banned long ago. And I hope that they will summon the courage to ban the system at the earliest possible time.
"I'm told that Kano State Government on Tuesday issued a statement banning it and I believe that the other state governors should be able to follow as quickly as possible," the senate president said.
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