Almajiri child can one day become President - Okorocha tells Northern governor

Senator Rochas Okorocha, a former governor of Imo State, has urged Northern Governors to reconsider their stance on almajiri children.

MyNigeria.com recalls that Northern Governors have frowned upon the almajiri system which sees children leave their parents to go acquire Islamic knowledge.

This has since been abused with the children left to wander and beg on the streets.

“Many of our prominent people now, were once, Almajiri,” Okorocha told BBC Hausa.

“Help to educate these children, give them jobs, who knows one of them could be a President someday,” he said.

Okorocha blamed poverty and hunger as a major problem and not the almajiri system.

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.”

The former governor called for care for the children and also for the healthcare system to be improved.

“Some of us have excess that others don’t need. Channel such towards enhancing the living standard of such children. They are our children,” he added.