A former Governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha, has said that Northern Governors have been unfair in their dealings with the Almajiri children.
The Lawmaker stated this in an interview with BBC Hausa Service.
Okorocha advised the Governors and other rich individuals in the region, to help transform the Almajiri system of Islamic education, instead of subjecting them to humiliation.
“Many of our prominent people now, were once Almajiri.
“Help to educate these children, give them jobs, who knows one of them could be a President some day”, Okorocha said.
The former Governor identified poverty and hunger as a major problem, and not the Almajiris.
He explained further that: “The system had its origin from the migration of Prophet Muhammad, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. When he migrated from Mecca, some people followed him in search of knowledge, and they were catered for. They were not left hungry. They were fed.”
According Okorocha, the abandoned children need care, while the system be reformed by all.
“Some of us have excess that others do not need. Channel such towards enhancing the living standard of such children. They are our children”, he added.