News
Nigeria’s Alms Race
You probably thought I misspelled or you misread. Sadly, that is the title.
Location: Borno
Temperature: 40C/104F degrees scorching hot days and 12C/54F freezing cold nights.
Time: 2am approximately, some day in 2009
Two 9 year old almajiri boys were in bed; well, on the floor actually, inside or beside a mosque or nondescript shack somewhere in Borno state, north east of Nigeria.
One woke up to use the “bathroom” that fateful cold night and when he got back, the second had pulled his, and the only blanket over himself.
‘Give me my blanket,’ the almajiri boy demanded. The other “bully” would not let go, not just because he felt stronger, but because the nights get so cold in Borno, you just can’t give that up.
At the end of the fight that ensued, one of the 9 year old almajiris, the smaller one who owned the blanket had pulled out his life protective dagger they always have on them, one of…actually the only asset they ever have, and stuck it into the bully.
He lay dead in a pool of his blood.
Fast forward to 2012, Amanda meets a nice, passionate lawyer who described this incident to her. ‘That’s why I’m here,’ he said, ‘I just can’t let this boy keep rotting in jail.
You need to understand the predicament of these almajiri boys. They have nothing, they belong to no one.’
Amanda tells me how she once held conversation with an almajiri – about 7-8 years old, making his rounds on the dusty, harsh-weather roads of Borno.
Borno where they say, in the winter morning, you must open your mouth with care, else you hear your lips crack and see the blood gush from them.
‘Where are you from?’ Amanda asked him.
‘I think somewhere in Katsina,’ he replied.
‘Who are your parents?’ Amanda asked.
‘I do not know, I came here when I was 3. … I am a child of the world.’ The boy replied.
It brought tears to her eyes. It brought tears to mine too, hearing her narrate it.
This is the typical tale of the almajiri boys in the nuclear alms race on the dusty roads of cities in northern Nigeria.
The north eastern extremes of Nigeria which by Soludo’s account, compares economically with places like Somalia and Eritrea.
With a 72.2% poverty rate in the North East region, the highest level of poverty in Nigeria, followed closely by North West (71.1%).
On the contrary the South East at 26.6% has the lowest level of poverty of poverty in Nigeria followed by South/South (35.1%) and South West (43.05%).
With such poverty levels, it is not surprising that the Boko Haram terrorist cult easily finds recruits.
What is even Boko’s story? A people disgruntled with the system.
Who knows, its founders and top leaders may have all been almajiris, abandoned by their parents, their country and their traditional and religious leadership.
The Muslim mualims (teachers), almajiri’s are hooked up with are slave masters at the best. They show these boys no love.
They whip them, sparingly teach them any quality Islam, and send them out to go race for alms.
Psychology and psychological trauma is a very important factor in propensity for criminality and terrorism.
Just last week, two Nigerian boys, both Michael Adebos, were reported to have killed a soldier in Woolwich, UK.
After the horror of the event was endured, details about circumstances leading to the extreme actions of Michael Adebolajo started slowly trickling into the news.
A serious Muslim revert with staunch views, Adebolajo visited Kenya for some form of Islamic experience.
While there, the Kenyan police allegedly picked him and a few others up from their village and interrogated them.
Adebolajo’s friend, Abu Nusaybah recounted on BBC interview, that Adebolajo who told the security men that he would not speak, was promised,- ‘this is Africa, not UK, we torture here.’
The torture and sexual abuse he was put through made him a changed man, his friend said. From then on, the young man with two wives became ‘changed and withdrawn.’
To top it up, according to his friend, the British security services who it appears brought him back to the UK from detention in Kenya, routinely paid him visits and ‘harassed,’ and ‘bugged,’ him to work for them, as he reportedly complained to his friend. The rest is history.
A boy reportedly abandoned by his parents when he reverted to Islam and played hard cards by the local and foreign security, went to pick and kill a security related officer.
Their actions can never be justified in today’s world; however a history of family, and societal abuse and dysfunction is hardly uncommon in so many cases related to the propensity for social oppositional and gravely violent behavior.
Research reveals that children from domestically violent homes are several times more likely to be abusive parents with up to half being involved in violent relationships and marriages.
These social and psychological developmental correlations are as many as there are disorders.
Amanda was on a journey with the lawyer who told her the story of his almajiri inadvertent murderer youth client.
But before the journey started, an almajiri boy had come to try to board their bus, with less than enough for the fare.
Amanda chipped in to enable him travel with them. The boy sat quiet till they got to Bauchi.
At a food and prayer stop in Bauchi, the boy came back and Amanda noticed he had had something ‘spiritual,’ not from the Mosque, behind it perhaps, or somewhere else altogether, ganja, marijuanna possibly.
Suddenly he was all loud and talkative. ‘Those in this bus who think they are better than others….who think they can control what happens here… We have killed before, we will kill you here…’ The almajiri revealed the inner ambitions of his heart.
His desire to subdue and control society. To revenge, to prove he is someone, that he has influence and power too.
He was not speaking in relation to any event or person on the bus. Hadn’t Amanda, one of the passengers, given him money to enable his travel? He was talking to society at large.
Those were the kind of statements he was uttering, to everyone’s distress. The driver was bothered, soon he parked.
The lawyer now went up to the boy and landed him a hot punch. From somewhere on his body, his dagger fell. The journey continued without him, as can be expected.
But he’ll be just fine, like the cave men of the beginning of time, like animals in the wild; the almajiri has learned to get by in the dusty thatched jungles of the north.
Many crisscross countries in their race for alms. Oblivious of Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad’s borders, these nuclear beggars traverse any type of terrain, with no one to miss them if they die; who cares.
Life is merely worth your pocket load of alms. Hopefully the picture you see attached to this UNICEF article is one I came across a while back, March 2012, of almajiri refugees who fled Nigeria to Chad due to early on Boko Haram-government clashes.
I spent a few minutes looking at the pictures. I still can’t get over it. It was written in that story in 2012, that the boys were in the cross hairs:
Migrants told UNICEF they fled the villages of Douri and Madaye in eastern Nigeria when members of the Boko Haram militant group attacked them, burning down houses. Police and military forces then arrived and started firing at those who remained, claiming they were Boko Haram supporters, according to witness accounts.
The last few weeks have been weeks of reflection for north Nigeria. A region where the leaders – from the parents, to the traditional/religious leadership and up to the governors, and presidents, have failed in absolute proportions.
The governor of Kano, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso put it out straight and unglazed. ‘Our problem, the insecurity is the failure of us as parents, the society at large and the leadership.’
Of the children, he said, “they grow up to hate themselves, hate their parents, hate the leaders, and hate the government and the society.
They feel they were deprived, they feel injustice and they become enemies of the state and constituted authorities; and thereby becoming vulnerable to crime and violence.”
He further explained that typical northern parents have 20-30 children and keep two or three they like, while sending off the remaining dozens out into the almajiri world to never know love.
Senate president David Mark said the same thing days later, alleging that he spoke Nigeria’s Sharia master who told him categorically that the almajiri system is Haram (forbidden in Islam).
Boko Haram’s uncontrollable terror is the reward for this wickedness. Amanda told me the then Governor of Borno, hired these almajiris and defunct schools like that of late Muhammed Yusuf, arming them to be his political thugs.
For the first time in their lives, the almajiris got a job; they got some sort of social belonging, some meaning and relevance and along with it came finance.
How will they ever abandon such lucrative lifestyle, and opportunity to tell the world, we are better than you, we harass you, duck western civilization, duck the government of Nigeria, duck anyone who stands in our way.
To be on TV every day, on radio. To kill parents like theirs who abandoned them and sentence children, hitherto lucky, into a cold world without the shelter of a loving home? To revenge and get paid.
Cap that with the free flow of more potent ‘spiritual’ uplifting concoctions Boko Haram is said to be availing its recruits and the likelihood of surrender approaches the likelihood of the United States and Israel willingly accepting a Nuclear Iran.
The almajiri’s are not going back. Nigeria must urgently find a way to start giving them something else, other than the permission to beg. Parents must be fined and incarcerated for child abandonment. A social welfare system must be immediately constituted. This is available in all developed societies.
The lack of it predicts sure and certain chaos. And the Mosques must preach that Islam does not permit riots and nonsensical violence, that hooliganism is not Jihad.
The Mualims and proponents of the almajiri system must know the prohibition in Islam of sending able-bodied young men to beg. To them, this message from the prophet of Islam:
Whoso openeth unto himself the door of begging, God will open unto him the door of poverty.
Verily it is better for any of you to take your rope and bring a bundle of wood upon your back and sell it, in which case God guardeth your honor than to beg of people, whether they give or not; if they do not give, your reputation suffereth, and you return disappointed; and if they give, it is worse than that, for it layeth you under obligation.
Whoever hath food for a day and a night, it is prohibited for him to beg.
It is time to start ending the nuclear alms race.
Dr. Peregrino Brimah
Every Nigerian Do Something [ http://ENDS.ng ]
Contact: info@ends.ng
Article References:
http://www.irinnews.org/report/95014/nigeria-chad-migrants-fleeing-boko-haram-violence-await-aid
http://saharareporters.com/news-page/kano-governor%C2%A0kwankwaso-blames-government-and-society%C2%A0for%C2%A0nigeria%E2%80%99s-insecurity
http://newsrescue.com/poverty-in-the-north-a-mayday-call/
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/05/abolish-al-majiri-system-mark-tells-northern-govs/
The Senate on Friday night halted the confirmation of Mr Abdullah Garba Ramat, as chief executive, Nigerian Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC), following allegations that the leadership of the 10th Senate, took a bribe of $10 million bribe.
The allegation came from Alwan Hassan, former special adviser to former Vice President, Yemi Osibanjo.
Hassan, had alleged that the leadership of the 10th Senate, took a bribe of $10 million to stop the confirmation of the nominee as chairman of NERC.
But Senator Yemi Adaramodu, spokesman of the Senate, in a statement dismissed the allegation as unfounded.
Adaramodu said the stance of the Red Chamber to step down the screening and confirmation of Ramat, for the office of Chairman of NERC,was informed by what he called “a baggage of public and private complaints against his nomination.”
He recalled instances when “many nominees have been stepped down due to such public outcry,” and urged the public not to be persuaded by the allegations of bribery.
The Senate further vowed to sue Hassan, to provide Nigerians with the proof of his allegations.
The statement reads in part: “The attention of the Senate has been drawn to the uncoordinated cacophony of one innocuous Alwan Hassan, who is a hand-tool to one Mr Abdullah Garba Ramat.
“Refreshing the memories of Nigerians, Mr. Ramat is the yet to be confirmed Chief Executive of the Nigerian Electricity Regulation Commission.
“Mr Alwan has ludicrously alleged that the Senate was compromised by yet to be disclosed ghosts to reject the nomination and confirmation of Mr Ramat.
“For the unsuspecting public not to be persuaded by the satanic verses of this political feckless mercenary, the Senate wishes to state that Mr Garba Ramat has a baggage of public and private complaints against his nomination. The Senate is bound statutorily to halt actions on him or on whoever is under such public questioning. Many nominees have been stepped down due to such public outcry.
“The case of Mr Ramat is not an exemption. No-one can drag the institution of the National Assembly into public opprobrium with unfathomable allegations, in order to arm twist the legislature.
” Nigerians would like to have appointees who go through watertight screening processes, rather than those who bully their ways through blackmail.
” The Senate would definitely engage Mr Alwan at the court, to provide Nigerians with the proof of his assertions.
“The Senate is an institution of noble Nigerians, that respect the views, opinions, complaints and compliments of the citizens through Legislative oversight and other constitutional functions.
‘We don’t know and had no prior encounter with Mr Ramat, until his nomination came for screening and the Senate is bound to listen and consider any issues raised against him by the people, who he was nominated to serve.”
Federal government of Nigeria has officially launched and commenced the disbursement of the N10 million interest-free loans under the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF), marking a major milestone in educational welfare and institutional strengthening.
The launch took place at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), symbolizing a national effort to empower educators and promote academic excellence.
According to official data, over 9,000 staff members across 219 institutions have already enrolled, signaling a strong commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s knowledge economy.
Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, minister of State for Education, described the TISSF as a “visionary welfare breakthrough that restores pride, value, and dignity to the teaching and research professions.”
She emphasized that the initiative not only reduces financial stress but also empowers educators to focus on scholarship, mentorship, and community service.
The minister also appreciated the Bank of Industry and partner agencies for their effective role in implementing the scheme.
Dr. Tunji Alausa, minister of Education, noted that the TISSF goes beyond financial aid, describing it as a “bold investment in the people who shape the nation’s future.”
He stated that the initiative was designed and executed in just four months, reflecting efficient governance and innovation in policy implementation.
Dr. Alausa further assured that with transparent monitoring and evaluation, the Fund will remain sustainable and accessible to staff across all tertiary institutions.
Institutional leaders also lauded the initiative.
Professor Adenike Temidayo Oladiji, Vice-Chancellor of FUTA, described it as “timely, transformative, and strategic,” noting that the university’s inclusion as a beneficiary of the One Billion Naira Commercialization Aid Fund would further strengthen innovation and enterprise on campus.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Bola Ajayi, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government, stating that the support represents “renewed hope for staff and their families,” highlighting its far-reaching impact beyond financial relief.
Through the TISSF, the Federal Ministry of Education reaffirms its dedication to building a transparent, accountable, and life-changing education system where every educator is valued, supported, and empowered.
The Federal Government has disclosed plans to establish an aircraft leasing company in Nigeria, aimed at providing a much-needed boost to local carriers. This strategic initiative is designed to empower Nigerian airlines by serving as an intermediary between them and international lessors, with the government providing a sovereign guarantee to facilitate transactions.
Festus Keyamo, minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, disclosed this during the ceremonial arrival of Air Peace’s first dry lease aircraft, Boeing 737-700 at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 in Lagos.
According to Keyamo, the proposed aircraft leasing company will enable local airlines to access aircraft without having to navigate the complex global market alone. “We want to put an aircraft leasing company in place, so that Nigerian airlines will not be the ones negotiating with the world,” Keyamo stated.
“We don’t have to walk in silence again. The airlines don’t need to walk around the world looking for aircraft. Government must take care of that responsibility.” With the government’s sovereign guarantee, the project is expected to attract investors from around the world, creating a pool of resources that will support local airlines.
The minister emphasised that the leasing company will form a capital base, with local airlines given priority access to these resources. “This pool will form a capital base. No other person can be the off takers before the local airlines. This will make life easy for the airlines. We’ll be knocking on the doors of aircraft lessors and manufacturers very soon to talk business. We are here to support the local airlines.”
The establishment of the aircraft leasing company is expected to have a significant impact on the Nigerian aviation sector, enabling local carriers to compete more effectively with their international counterparts. With the government’s support, Nigerian airlines will be able to access modern, fuel-efficient aircraft, enhancing their operational efficiency and safety standards.
Keyamo described the arrival of the dry lease aircraft for Nigeria and aviation industry as a whole.
“This is a momentous occasion for Air Peace and the Nigerian aviation industry,” Keyamo stated. “It demonstrates the government’s commitment to supporting local carriers and promoting the growth of the aviation sector.”
Keyamo commended Air Peace for its discipline and financial prudence, which have enabled the airline to achieve this significant milestone. He also emphasised the need for local airlines to acquire more aircraft to compete effectively in the international market. “There is a need for the acquisition of more wide-body aircraft by local operators to compete in the international space,” Keyamo stated.
Allen Onyema, chairman, Air Peace said the journey of securing an aircraft through dry lease started at the minister’s office who saw the importance of having a vibrant aviation sector, and is always willing to partner with the local airlines, leasing companies and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to ensure Nigeria has a chance to take its rightful place in commercial aviation in Africa.
Onyema said Air Peace has been very diligent in ensuring its aircraft are properly maintained, stressing that it would continue to represent Nigeria well at the international space.
“We make sure that our maintenance is top-notch. We are here on behalf of other Nigerian airlines. We are carrying the visions and aspirations of this country and if we fail, it will be a disgrace.
“Given the support we have received from all arms of government and the Nigerian public, I believe we won’t fail our country,” the Air Peace chairman said.
Onyema commended Festus Keyamo for his relentless efforts in supporting local airlines.
“We need wide-bodied aircraft. Like him or hate him, the minister has changed the face of the country’s aviation industry. In the eight years before he came, it was a struggle for Nigerian airlines. When the minister came on board, he noticed a gap and fixed it.
“Before now, the mantra was that Nigerian airlines lack capacity therefore let us invite foreign airlines to take over. He looked at what to do to support Nigerian airlines so that they can compete. The President also gave the marching order to make this happen,” Air Peace chairman said.
Onyeme said most big airlines don’t own some of the aircraft they use as most go to Boeing and Airbus to make orders and the lessors grant them.
“That is why you see one airline having about 400 planes. In Nigeria, every airline owner is expected to buy their own aircraft. When we brought up the issue of aircraft dry-leasing with the minister, he did the necessary things. Today, we have a dry-leased aircraft,” he said.
Moore Ibekwe, Junior sales director, Africa Region Boeing Commercial Airplanes said three years ago when he took up the job as a sales director for West Africa, East Africa, Southern Africa, and Morocco, only himself and one of his senior finance directors believed that this day could happen.
“However, I want to everyone because we continue to push. They were open to tell us what it would take for us to get here, how we can get aircraft into Nigeria, and I see this as the beginning. Yes, it’s one aircraft, but I can tell you this is the opening point for a better aviation sector,” Ibekwe said.
He said Nigeria needs to take its rightful place in aviation with Air Peace setting the pace.
“Air Peace plays a pivotal role in the Nigerian economy.This is about the region. This is about Africa. This is about us creating opportunities for the future.
“Air Peace hires or employs thousands of people, and their families depend on the airline for their livelihood. And it’s important that we have to support the industry here,” Ibekwe added.
Present at the event was Chris Najomo, Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority; Bunmi Kuku, Managing Director Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, Peter Ryan,
Irish Ambassador to Nigeria, and Kevin Ugwuoke, Financial partners- Executive Director Risk Management at Fidelity bank, who also represented by
Kenneth Opara, the Executive Director of the bank, among others.
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