A Cry for Nigeria's Children
A Cry for Nigeria's Children
Where is our collective responsibility? Where is our shame? Nigerian mothers cry for our children. The level of destitution of Nigeria’s Almajiri children makes them a ready army for Boko Haram and other insurgency groups. Begging bowls in hand, thousands of them roam the streets of Northern Nigeria, hungry, neglected and seeking alms. We Nigerian mothers cry for our children to be rescued. This abuse must cease.
The ancient Almajiri system of education is grounded in elemental Islamic teachings and philosophy. In contrast with its noble origins and intentions, it is no longer operating to protect and nurture our children. Today, Almajirai have become synonymous with abandoned, hungry and forsaken children; prisoners of a neglected, failing system, roaming the streets begging, or engaging in criminal activity.
We demand education reform. In line with the Almajiri Child’s Right Initiative (ACRI) we call on the government to set up a multi-stakeholder task force to overhaul the school system in Northern Nigeria to support the Almajirai. In addition, Nigeria’s western education system and vocational training must also be revamped and adequately resourced.
Our Government must strive to eradicate illiteracy.
We demand accountability for our country's wealth from our leaders and all those to whom we have given our mandate. The misuse and abuse of our commonwealth, and the magnitude of corruption that we see in Nigeria in the face of the dire existential circumstances our children are in is tragic, and must be denounced by all. It must stop. We ask for prosecution and punishment of all who steal, embezzle, and mismanage public funds.
We launch the Allah Ya Isa Campaign, to call on all our leaders to respect the law. If they fail to do so, and believe that they do not need God’s favour, they must certainly fear His wrath. For every Kobo that they misappropriate or misuse that deprives a Nigerian child of a meal, a bed, and access to a classroom, we say Allah Ya Isa. This clarion call is to every person of conscience to call those leaders to order, and with us, affirm the Almighty as the final arbiter of all human situations.
We ask that you sign this petition in support of our cry as well as translate the clarion call into all the languages that you know:
#FearTheWrathOfGod #AllahYaIsa #OlorunADaSeria #TuoEgwuIweChukwu
Signed:
- Aisha Muhammed-Oyebode
- Fatima Akilu
- Aisha Umar
- Mojúbàolú Olufúnké Okome
- Ada Ngozi Maduakoh
- Modupe Oni
- Abiola Afolabi-Akiyode
- Hadiza Baffa Habib
- Yemisi Wada
- Hafsat Abiola-Costello
- Yagana Kingibe
- Sutura Bello
- Bisola Longe
- Solape Epega
- Binta Dhako
- Ete Harriman
- Ayodeji Fadugba
- Iyom Josephine Anenih
- Mary Ikoku
- Peyi Soyinka Airewele
- Hauwa Imam
- Yemi Adamolekun
- Agatha Osieke
- Leila St Mathew Daniels
- Magdalyne Dura
- Yinka Shokunbi
- Saida Bugaje
- Adebanke Akinrimisi
- Kadaria Ahmed
- Ier Jonathan
- Asmau Leo
- Anthonia Duru
- Abimbola Junaid
- Rita Ilevbare
- Josephine Effah-Chukwuma
- Moji Makanjuola
- Dorothy Njemanze
- Princess Jumai Idonije
- Aderonke Bello
- Ireti Bakare Yusuf
- Halima Abubakar
- Dudu Manuga
- Osai Ojigho
- Adaobi Egboka
- Oluyemisi Obilade
- Irene Awunah
- Bose Ironsi
- Hafsat Abiola-Costello
- Ejiro Otive-Igbuzor
- Inimfon Etuk
- Grace Atim
- Ebere Nfendu
- Olufunke Adesuwa Akiyode
- Bukola Osidibo
- Sa'ida Sa'ad
- Ayodele Atsenuwa
- Julie Oyegun
- Subomi Chukwu
- Ayisha Osori
- Hadiza Baffa
- Rasheeda Saleh
- Patricia Donli, Gender Equality, Peace and Development Centre (GEPaDC)
- Ndi Kato, Dirindari Foundation
- Bukola Shonibare, Girl Child Africa
- Betty Abah, CEE-HOPE Foundation
- Ngozi Iwere, CLP Reclaim Naija
- Bunmi Oyinsan, Equality Through Education Foundation (ETEF)
- Action Aid Nigeria
- Joy Onyesoh Foundation
- Fame Foundation
- Women Advocates Research and Documentation Center
- Center for Women's Health and Information (CEWHIN)
- Women for Women Foundation
- Partners for West Africa - Nigeria
- Education as a Vaccine
- CWEENS