Minors: Klinsmann Applauds FG, Knocks Atiku For Inflammatory Comments

Minors: Klinsmann applauds FG, knocks Atiku for inflammatory comments; advocates almajiri care homes

[quote]A prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Dunukofia Local Government of Anambra State, Pharmacist Chinedu Ikeagwuonwu Klinsmann, has commended the Federal Government for its prompt intervention in the troubling case of the young #EndBadGovernance protesters recently arraigned in court on charges that include treason.

In a statement released today, Pharm. Klinsmann praised the directive given by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, instructing the police to transfer the protesters’ case file to his office and hand it over to the Director of Public Prosecutions for a comprehensive review. According to Klinsmann, this action underscores the sensitivity of the President Tinubu-led administration, especially in light of public outrage over reports of some suspects collapsing in court.

Klinsmann also aimed at former Vice President and 2023 PDP Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, accusing him of exploiting the situation for political gain. He described Atiku’s reference to the “wickedness of T-Pain” in criticizing the Tinubu administration as immature, unstatesmanlike, and inflammatory.

“Atiku’s expression of ‘horror’ at seeing the children in court was merely a façade,” Klinsmann asserted. “If he genuinely cared about their plight, he should have used his position as Vice President for eight years and his considerable wealth to address the underlying issues that drive these children to the streets, at least in Adamawa, his home state.”

Klinsmann further remarked, “Many of these children are in detention today because they were on the streets during the chaotic #EndBadGovernance protest. Atiku has no moral ground to criticize others for failures he could have addressed. These young protesters are clearly almajiri children. If Atiku, with all his resources, had established an Almajiri Child Care Home in Adamawa, it could have set a precedent for others and perhaps prevented the region from becoming a hotbed of banditry and insecurity.”

He also expressed disappointment over comments made by former Kano State Governor and 2023 NNPP Presidential Candidate, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who suggested that the Federal Government should prioritize tackling banditry, kidnapping, and Boko Haram instead of prosecuting children.

“Kwankwaso must remember that the apple does not fall far from the tree,” Klinsmann stated. “His failure to establish an Almajiri Child Care Home during his eight-year tenure as Governor of Kano State has significantly contributed to the high levels of youth violence, banditry, and insurgency in Northern Nigeria. Now, he seeks to deflect blame onto the Tinubu administration. It’s no surprise that Kano became the epicenter of the destruction that followed the #EndBadGovernance protest.”

Klinsmann emphasized that the northern political elite—and perhaps all Nigerians—must recognize that almajiri children represent a ticking time bomb. “These children are largely uneducated, disillusioned, and living in desperate conditions with no hope for the future,” he said.

He highlighted the stark contrast in how the #EndBadGovernance protest unfolded across different regions. “While the protest was relatively peaceful in the South and Middle Belt, it turned violent from the start in the North. Unlike their southern counterparts, who carried placards and banners, northern almajiri youths wielded sticks, cudgels, and machetes, looting shops and destroying public and private property.”

“We all witnessed images from the northern protests,” Klinsmann continued. “Billions of Naira were lost, and many lives were needlessly cut short, including innocent passersby struck by stray bullets. The situation was so dire that several northern states imposed dusk-to-dawn curfews.”

Klinsmann attributed the root cause of the almajiri crisis to pervasive poverty, which compels parents to send their children to almajiri schools. “Deprived of parental love and care from an early age, these children are sent into a harsh environment to seek knowledge but are ultimately driven by survival,” he said. “Begging for food, money, and basic needs becomes their only option. Without proper food, shelter, and care, many fall into cycles of drug addiction, violence, and crime.”

He noted that some almajiri children fall victim to ritualists and human traffickers, while others are manipulated into becoming political thugs, hired killers, and extremists.

“The perpetuation of the almajiri phenomenon is rooted in years of poor leadership and the neglect of the masses by the northern elite,” Klinsmann observed. He stressed that while the Federal Government has taken steps to address the problem, education is on the concurrent legislative list, meaning state and local governments also play critical roles in providing basic education.

Beyond education, Klinsmann advocated for the creation of care homes staffed by trained personnel to provide foster care and guidance. “Former President Goodluck Jonathan initiated a program to integrate western education into the Islamic education system, committing billions to build almajiri schools across Northern Nigeria.”

He noted that the Buhari administration also had plans to address the almajiri system by establishing the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education. This body was designed to implement education, skill acquisition, and entrepreneurship programs to combat illiteracy and youth poverty. “Unfortunately, the impact of the Commission is yet to be felt,” he lamented.

“These efforts have fallen short because the children need more than education—they need a nurturing environment where they feel loved and supported,” Klinsmann said. “They need parental discipline and guidance.”

Pharm. Klinsmann called on the National Assembly and the governors of the 19 northern states to enact laws that would establish a comprehensive national strategy for the care and protection of almajiri children. “If these children had been in care homes during the #EndBadGovernance protest, they would not have been used as instruments of destruction,” he said.

He urged local governments to establish children’s homes within their communities and collaborate with state governments in developing the necessary infrastructure for the care and rehabilitation of these children. “States should work with relevant public and private entities, including NGOs, donor agencies, and multinational companies, to create systems that ensure neglected children receive community and state-based support.”

In conclusion, Klinsmann commended the Federal Government’s efforts to reform almajiri education and appealed for widespread support. “I call on affluent individuals to engage in philanthropic initiatives aimed at improving the lives of almajiri children. While northern leaders have failed them, it is now our collective responsibility to rescue and rehabilitate these children. If left unaddressed, they pose a significant risk to our future and that of our own children.”

Source:- Vanguardngr