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| Almajiri boys |
The wealthy and conditional adoption for the street
child
child
Poverty
and want in Nigeria is on the rise on a daily basis despite federal
government’s claim to progressive ideology, I dare say. Poor parents are daily
finding it difficulty to give the traditional education legacy and security to
their children and wards. The resultant street children or the almajiri calls
for urgent action by the wealthy and political class to avert further social
crises, especially in the North. One of the
strategies to mop up these children from the streets is conditional
adoption of school-age children by wealthy couples, UJI ABDULLAHI ILIYASU reports.
and want in Nigeria is on the rise on a daily basis despite federal
government’s claim to progressive ideology, I dare say. Poor parents are daily
finding it difficulty to give the traditional education legacy and security to
their children and wards. The resultant street children or the almajiri calls
for urgent action by the wealthy and political class to avert further social
crises, especially in the North. One of the
strategies to mop up these children from the streets is conditional
adoption of school-age children by wealthy couples, UJI ABDULLAHI ILIYASU reports.
Conditional adoption
The
adoption of a child outside of his or her family is a veritable tool in fostering
unity and ensure peace in the country. Nigerians who are wealthy and have the
means and wherewithal could adopt at least a child from poor neighbours into
their families. This humanity guarantees unity and peaceful coexistence in the
country as enshrined in the National Anthem.
adoption of a child outside of his or her family is a veritable tool in fostering
unity and ensure peace in the country. Nigerians who are wealthy and have the
means and wherewithal could adopt at least a child from poor neighbours into
their families. This humanity guarantees unity and peaceful coexistence in the
country as enshrined in the National Anthem.
The
type we are advocating is not the conventional adoption where the child’s birth
status and parental background changes when the adoption legal processes are
sealed. We are not talking of adopting
abandoned, motherless children and orphans. The numerous orphanages run by
philanthropists and religious groups can take care of that. We are talking of
conditional adoption where children could be adopted by foster parents but
retain their birth and family status. The child will remain in his or her
family home, but the adoption will
enable the child to enjoy all the privileges available to the children of his
or her foster parents.
type we are advocating is not the conventional adoption where the child’s birth
status and parental background changes when the adoption legal processes are
sealed. We are not talking of adopting
abandoned, motherless children and orphans. The numerous orphanages run by
philanthropists and religious groups can take care of that. We are talking of
conditional adoption where children could be adopted by foster parents but
retain their birth and family status. The child will remain in his or her
family home, but the adoption will
enable the child to enjoy all the privileges available to the children of his
or her foster parents.
Thus
conditional adoption here all about paying the child’s school fees, other
educational needs and offsetting the cost of everything that prepares the child
for a brighter and self-fulfilling future.
conditional adoption here all about paying the child’s school fees, other
educational needs and offsetting the cost of everything that prepares the child
for a brighter and self-fulfilling future.
The
purchase of clothes and all the essential needs of a child for Sallah
celebration, if the child is Muslim, or for Christmas, if the child is Christian
are involved. The joy of New Year celebration and juvenile toys, holiday and
even travel adventures are important for the child.
purchase of clothes and all the essential needs of a child for Sallah
celebration, if the child is Muslim, or for Christmas, if the child is Christian
are involved. The joy of New Year celebration and juvenile toys, holiday and
even travel adventures are important for the child.
A heterogamous society
Knowing
full well that Nigeria is a religious and heterogeneous society, it will be
convenient that adoption across different cultures leave religious aspect of
the child’s development alone.
full well that Nigeria is a religious and heterogeneous society, it will be
convenient that adoption across different cultures leave religious aspect of
the child’s development alone.
In
conditional adoption, foster parents are not allowed to adopt a child and
indoctrinate him or her to their religious beliefs. For this reason, the adopted children remain
in their parents’ households. But unlike
their siblings, they enjoy higher privileges outside of their immediate
families in all things regarding their educational needs and aspirations.
conditional adoption, foster parents are not allowed to adopt a child and
indoctrinate him or her to their religious beliefs. For this reason, the adopted children remain
in their parents’ households. But unlike
their siblings, they enjoy higher privileges outside of their immediate
families in all things regarding their educational needs and aspirations.
The
rich could look around in the neighbourhood and extend their help to any child
their heart goes to. This conditional adoption does not require tedious legacy
procedures as far as the child is not taken away from their parents and the
permission is given by the parents of the adopted children. So this could be
done across cultures, religions and socio-economic backgrounds.
rich could look around in the neighbourhood and extend their help to any child
their heart goes to. This conditional adoption does not require tedious legacy
procedures as far as the child is not taken away from their parents and the
permission is given by the parents of the adopted children. So this could be
done across cultures, religions and socio-economic backgrounds.
The
alternative parents may not even have physical contact with the adopted
child. The satisfaction of the needs of
the child could be channelled through the parents or the school authorities
concerned.
alternative parents may not even have physical contact with the adopted
child. The satisfaction of the needs of
the child could be channelled through the parents or the school authorities
concerned.
To
foster greater unity, rich Nigerians from the South could adopt children in the
North and wealthy Nigerians in the North can adopt children from the south.
foster greater unity, rich Nigerians from the South could adopt children in the
North and wealthy Nigerians in the North can adopt children from the south.
Rochas Okorocha’s example
Coming
close to fulfilling this advocacy, former Imo governor and now Senator, Rochas
Okorocha, deserves our commendation, and Grand Commander of the Order of Niger
(GCON) for his numerous schools across the country especially in the North is
not out of place. His love for Nigerian
children and unity speaks in his all tuition-free schools across Nigeria.
close to fulfilling this advocacy, former Imo governor and now Senator, Rochas
Okorocha, deserves our commendation, and Grand Commander of the Order of Niger
(GCON) for his numerous schools across the country especially in the North is
not out of place. His love for Nigerian
children and unity speaks in his all tuition-free schools across Nigeria.
Out-of-school children
At
present, Nigeria has out-of-school children population of over 10.5 million,
out of this 69 per cent are in the North, according to the United Nations
International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) 2018 figure.
present, Nigeria has out-of-school children population of over 10.5 million,
out of this 69 per cent are in the North, according to the United Nations
International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) 2018 figure.
The
drop from school is occasioned by poverty and reinforced by the Boko Haram
insurgency, herdsmen/farmers clash, armed banditry and population explosion in
the North.
drop from school is occasioned by poverty and reinforced by the Boko Haram
insurgency, herdsmen/farmers clash, armed banditry and population explosion in
the North.
The wealthy must take a stand now
The
wealthy in Nigerian society must take a stand now. They don’t have to wait for the
federal government which is bent on fighting corruption while the poor are
dying from diseases occasioned by poverty and want. Rich Nigerians, especially the ones in the
North, should take a stand now.
wealthy in Nigerian society must take a stand now. They don’t have to wait for the
federal government which is bent on fighting corruption while the poor are
dying from diseases occasioned by poverty and want. Rich Nigerians, especially the ones in the
North, should take a stand now.
If
you are wealthy in the real sense of the word take a stand now before it could
be too late. No one should feel indifferent to the problem of his neighbour. He
who does so is courting disaster for himself.
you are wealthy in the real sense of the word take a stand now before it could
be too late. No one should feel indifferent to the problem of his neighbour. He
who does so is courting disaster for himself.
A
patriotic Nigerian should not say, “What is my concern” when he sees socials
ills going on in the society, because
whether we like it or not the actions or inactions of our compatriots will
affect us positively or negatively.
patriotic Nigerian should not say, “What is my concern” when he sees socials
ills going on in the society, because
whether we like it or not the actions or inactions of our compatriots will
affect us positively or negatively.
Uncontrolled population in North
Take
for instance, the population explosion in the North that has given more
scriptural and spiritual interpretation to almajiri system of education for
hapless Muslim children. All we know is that the word “almajiri” in Arabic has
its noble meaning, but in Nigeria it is a euphemism for street urchins. And it is almost impossible for any Muslim
cleric to prove it otherwise.
for instance, the population explosion in the North that has given more
scriptural and spiritual interpretation to almajiri system of education for
hapless Muslim children. All we know is that the word “almajiri” in Arabic has
its noble meaning, but in Nigeria it is a euphemism for street urchins. And it is almost impossible for any Muslim
cleric to prove it otherwise.
What will you do when you hear “almajiri”?
When you hear that word your imagination captures a child in need of food or
alms. If you contend the meaning why are
the children in the conventional schools not called almajiri? What is the real
meaning of almajiri in Arabic? Isn’t it scholar? Why are street or veranda
or Quranic pupils differentiated?
When you hear that word your imagination captures a child in need of food or
alms. If you contend the meaning why are
the children in the conventional schools not called almajiri? What is the real
meaning of almajiri in Arabic? Isn’t it scholar? Why are street or veranda
or Quranic pupils differentiated?
The Dangotes, the Dantatas, the Bayeros are missing
Why
won’t the northern governors, other influential politicians, traditional rulers
and business tycoons and even rich clerics have their children enrolled in
almajiri school? Won’t they want heaven for their children and wards? These
children who are left to wander in the streets of northern cities, like ships
without radar, are dangerous to the society.
We already knew they are.
won’t the northern governors, other influential politicians, traditional rulers
and business tycoons and even rich clerics have their children enrolled in
almajiri school? Won’t they want heaven for their children and wards? These
children who are left to wander in the streets of northern cities, like ships
without radar, are dangerous to the society.
We already knew they are.
Where
are the children of Dangotes, Dantatas, Gumis, Dahiru Bauchi’s, Bayeros,
Sunisis, Maccidos and other men and women that make decisions for the North.
Are they not good Muslims who want paradise for their children and for
themselves?
are the children of Dangotes, Dantatas, Gumis, Dahiru Bauchi’s, Bayeros,
Sunisis, Maccidos and other men and women that make decisions for the North.
Are they not good Muslims who want paradise for their children and for
themselves?
Anybody
in Nigeria now knows that the danger of such discriminatory preaching and
selection of religious injunctions is far reaching.
in Nigeria now knows that the danger of such discriminatory preaching and
selection of religious injunctions is far reaching.
The
Prophet said in his Tradition
(Hadith) that it is better for one to
take the axe and go up the mountains to fetch fire and sell for a living than
begging for alms whether one receives it or not. The North must do away with
selective religious tenets. Religious teachings are not class sensitive; they
apply to all regardless of power, wealth, royalty, education and class.
Prophet said in his Tradition
(Hadith) that it is better for one to
take the axe and go up the mountains to fetch fire and sell for a living than
begging for alms whether one receives it or not. The North must do away with
selective religious tenets. Religious teachings are not class sensitive; they
apply to all regardless of power, wealth, royalty, education and class.
In
Islam there is no wealthy casket for the rich dead. It is white apparel for the
have and the have-not.
Islam there is no wealthy casket for the rich dead. It is white apparel for the
have and the have-not.
Ensuring electoral power?
In
the North, in a bid to have electoral or democratic relevance over other zones
probably, leaders do not frown at population explosion because it serves their
purpose. The Muslim clerics do not preach against taking more wives when the
husbands cannot feed and train the ones their first or second or third wives
had brought forth.
the North, in a bid to have electoral or democratic relevance over other zones
probably, leaders do not frown at population explosion because it serves their
purpose. The Muslim clerics do not preach against taking more wives when the
husbands cannot feed and train the ones their first or second or third wives
had brought forth.
Religion
may frown at abortion which is no different from murder, but not against family
planning. There are many ways family planning can be done without attracting
the wrath of God. Why an average northerner who barely survives on petty trade
should encircle himself with four or three or two wives and untrained children
from the women who are all fertile?
may frown at abortion which is no different from murder, but not against family
planning. There are many ways family planning can be done without attracting
the wrath of God. Why an average northerner who barely survives on petty trade
should encircle himself with four or three or two wives and untrained children
from the women who are all fertile?
Polygamy not the only Sunnah
Is
polygamy the only Sunnah of the Prophet? If it is, what about the sin of not
taking care of your children and wives as prescribed by God and the Prophet?
God instructs the faithful in the Holy Qur’an to “Marry women of your choice;
two, three or four. But if you fear you may not be able to deal justly with them,
then only one or a captive.” Unfortunately those who do not fear injustice in
dealing with their wives are the poorest of the poor, sometimes with helps from
the wealthy and powerful.
polygamy the only Sunnah of the Prophet? If it is, what about the sin of not
taking care of your children and wives as prescribed by God and the Prophet?
God instructs the faithful in the Holy Qur’an to “Marry women of your choice;
two, three or four. But if you fear you may not be able to deal justly with them,
then only one or a captive.” Unfortunately those who do not fear injustice in
dealing with their wives are the poorest of the poor, sometimes with helps from
the wealthy and powerful.
If
you leave your wives to the mercy of hunger and her children wandering the
length and breadth of the town fending for the family instead of you the
father, is that Islam?
you leave your wives to the mercy of hunger and her children wandering the
length and breadth of the town fending for the family instead of you the
father, is that Islam?
Our indifference is sin
All
Nigerians, irrespective of faith and regional loyalty and party affiliation,
must rise against selective doctrine in the North. The North should not create problems for all
Nigerians.
Nigerians, irrespective of faith and regional loyalty and party affiliation,
must rise against selective doctrine in the North. The North should not create problems for all
Nigerians.
An
average man would say it doesn’t concern him when he sees couples giving birth
indiscriminately, and littering the space like pigs in a pigsty. It concerns
you a lot. An increase in population means a rise in prices of essential
commodities in the market and services in the system. A rise in tuition fees, a
rise in communication tariffs, a rise in house rents, transport fares and
eventually, a rise in crimes and criminal tendencies.
average man would say it doesn’t concern him when he sees couples giving birth
indiscriminately, and littering the space like pigs in a pigsty. It concerns
you a lot. An increase in population means a rise in prices of essential
commodities in the market and services in the system. A rise in tuition fees, a
rise in communication tariffs, a rise in house rents, transport fares and
eventually, a rise in crimes and criminal tendencies.
Imagine
if the market in your community loses half of the population to another
town. The prices of goods and services
will definitely fall. The prices of essential goods in the place where the
population settles will rise and consequently, the cost of living.
if the market in your community loses half of the population to another
town. The prices of goods and services
will definitely fall. The prices of essential goods in the place where the
population settles will rise and consequently, the cost of living.
Halal children’s home
The
vice president of Halal Children’s Home, Mrs Ramatu Abubakar, recently called
for a legal framework to encourage fostering of orphans and vulnerable young
persons in the society to promote nation-building during the 2019 World Adoption
Day in Abuja. The day was themed, “Fostering: Secure the future”.
vice president of Halal Children’s Home, Mrs Ramatu Abubakar, recently called
for a legal framework to encourage fostering of orphans and vulnerable young
persons in the society to promote nation-building during the 2019 World Adoption
Day in Abuja. The day was themed, “Fostering: Secure the future”.
She
said that while adoption is often talked about, fostering is key because there
is a need for Nigerians to actually foster children and incorporate them into
the larger society towards nation-building.
said that while adoption is often talked about, fostering is key because there
is a need for Nigerians to actually foster children and incorporate them into
the larger society towards nation-building.
“Fostering is in line with Islamic Law; the
difference between adoption and fostering is that by adoption you lose identity
of biological parents and take that of the adoptive parents.
difference between adoption and fostering is that by adoption you lose identity
of biological parents and take that of the adoptive parents.
“While
Islam wants you to retain your identity. So you can still take a child into
your home and the child retains his/her identity and you will do everything
required.
Islam wants you to retain your identity. So you can still take a child into
your home and the child retains his/her identity and you will do everything
required.
“We
want to let Nigerians know that there are children in need of home; although
Halal Home takes care of some of these children, the best place for a child is
within the family.
want to let Nigerians know that there are children in need of home; although
Halal Home takes care of some of these children, the best place for a child is
within the family.
“We
are encouraging people to come and start the fostering process by taking these
children into their homes,” Mrs Abubakar said.
are encouraging people to come and start the fostering process by taking these
children into their homes,” Mrs Abubakar said.
Also
a Nollyhood Actress, Mrs Joke Silva, said that there were lots of children who
did not have homes and also a lot of homes without children.
a Nollyhood Actress, Mrs Joke Silva, said that there were lots of children who
did not have homes and also a lot of homes without children.
“You do not foster a child out of pity, you
foster a child out of love; there is a big difference. You foster a child out
of love because you want the best for that child.
foster a child out of love; there is a big difference. You foster a child out
of love because you want the best for that child.
“You
will want to give the best to that child that you’re capable of emotionally,
financially, physically. You must give the child your best,” Mrs Silva said.
will want to give the best to that child that you’re capable of emotionally,
financially, physically. You must give the child your best,” Mrs Silva said.
Mrs
Chibuzor Ori-Bello, the proprieties of Legacy Crest Global Schools, Nasarawa,
advised the rich in the country to give back to the society to ensure peace and
violence-free country.
Chibuzor Ori-Bello, the proprieties of Legacy Crest Global Schools, Nasarawa,
advised the rich in the country to give back to the society to ensure peace and
violence-free country.
“I
am now giving back to the community what I got from them. My entire gratuity from the pension
administrators was used in building this school’s examination hall. I did not
take one naira from it. We have to think
what we can do for the community in which we live.
am now giving back to the community what I got from them. My entire gratuity from the pension
administrators was used in building this school’s examination hall. I did not
take one naira from it. We have to think
what we can do for the community in which we live.
“Many
students here are on my scholarship. I picked one boy from a business centre.
His father ran into problem and he could no longer cope with his education.
Fortunately the boy’s father was my former student.
students here are on my scholarship. I picked one boy from a business centre.
His father ran into problem and he could no longer cope with his education.
Fortunately the boy’s father was my former student.
“We also give free textbooks and uniforms to
indigent students free of charge. This is my contribution to humanity,” she
said.
indigent students free of charge. This is my contribution to humanity,” she
said.