27th April, 2020
Niger State Government has concluded arrangements to repatriate all Almajiri children to their states of origin.
The Secretary to the State Government and Chairman, Niger State Task Force on COVID-19, Ahmed Matane stated this in a statement on Monday in Minna.
SSG Matane said that the decision is in compliance with the Northern Governors’ Forum agreement to evacuate them to their states of origin to curb the spread of COVID-19.
”Evacuation of Almajiri children became necessary considering the unhealthy condition, congestion and filthy environment they were exposed to” he said.
Matane stated that the state government had closed down all formal and informal schools across the state but found out that the existence of Almajiri Schools “is becoming a cog in the wheel of progress.”
He enjoined proprietors of Almajiri schools to cooperate with the state government.
“The exercise will be carried out with vigor until Government is certain that all Almajiri children have been returned to their various States of origin and reunited with their parents,” Matane said.