From Lateef Taiwo, Kaduna
The National Orientation Agency (NOA), has flagged off the conduct of a UNICEF support community mobilisation to improve alternative care for Almajiri and Out Of School Adolescent Girls (OSAG) in Kaduna.
The flag-off by NOA, Kaduna Directorate, which was in collaboration with the Kaduna State Government, is geared towards improving parenting of at-risk children in 18 LGAs of the state.
The flag-off, was carried out at an advocacy visit by the NOA, UNICEF and Kaduna state Government’s officials to the Emir of Zazzau on Tuesday in Zaria, Kaduna State.
Speaking at the flag-off, Hamisu Abubakar, the State Director of NOA in Kaduna, said the activity was aimed at sensitising 15,300 household and communities on positive parenting skills.
He also said it was aimed at preventing and
promoting family care, including family tracing, re-unification and the need for alternative kinship family care.
Abubakar noted that Mallams (Teachers) caregivers, and parents of Almajiri would be reached, while strengthening the capacities of community-based structures to report and refer cases of child abuse and harmful practices.
He added that in the course of the community mobilisation, parents and care givers would be sensitised on enrolment of children in school.
He therefore solicited for the Emirate Council’s support towards integration of Almajiri into formal education system in the 18 selected Local Government Areas of the State.
UNICEF’s Child Protection Specialist, Dr Wilfred Mamah, said their mandate in over 180 countries revolves around enhancing children’s well-being and survival, Saying that child protection strategic goal is targeted at prevention and response to violence, abuse, and neglect of vulnerable
children, especially the most vulnerable.
Mamah recalled that in November 2022, the UNICEF Child Protection Team and partners, at the Emir of Zazzau’s Palace, launched the innovative community dialogue on the reform of the
Almajiri system in 36 communities of Kaduna Slate.
“We are here again because any reform that is process-led does not happen in a day. We are here to flag-off more community engagement geared towards provision of critical services to Almajiri and OSAG,”Mamah said.
He therefore noted that UNICEF has identified
that the situation of Almajiri and OSAG are at the heart of child protection and human development in the state.
He solicited for more support from the Emir, while acknowledging the exemplary role he and his Emirate Council have played in child protection.
Also, the Centre Manager of Sexual Assault and Referral Centre, Zaria, Hajiya Aisha Ahmed, frowned at the Judiciary and security system, which she allegedly said they let perpetrators of SGBV have their way.
She also frowned at traditional leaders in some rural communities who prevents arrests or justice to be mated on perpetrators of SGBV.
Ahmed therefore solicited for the Emirate council’s support and assistance in bringing perpetrators of SGBV within their areas of responsibility to account for their actions.
Also speaking, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, Hajiya Rabi Salisu, lamented that many children especially adolescents girls in rural communities are vulnerable.
Salisu, represented by Hajiya Rakiya Abubakar, therefore said that UNICEF’s involvement and support to the ministry ensured identification of Almajiri and children who don’t attend school.
She noted that they were working towards ensuring that the identified children taken care of and other assistance they may need.
Salisu therefore urged the Zazzau Emir to bless the endeavor while seeking the Emirate council’s assistance in possible ways to actualise their set objectives.
Responding, the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Bamalli, said studying in Almajiri school is not bad, but should be done in one’s environment and not inter-city.
He noted that the ideal is for parents who wants thier children to acquire Qur’anic or Islamic knowledge in Almajiri school to ensure they do it at their watch and care.
He restated the Emirate council’s willingness to support the move towards ensuring that the lives of children and adolescent girls are safe, free from vulnerability and attaining thier desired position in the society in their educational endeavors.
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