Time to act on Almajiri system

The Almajiri system of education is one of the major scars in Northern Nigeria. Northern traditional rulers, Islamic scholars, youths and other groups have started agitating for the modernisation/elimination of the system, seeing it as a serious menace that causes many problems. Many individuals, including elder statesmen, see the Almajiri system as a menace, with […]

The Almajiri system of education is one of the major scars in Northern Nigeria. Northern traditional rulers, Islamic scholars, youths and other groups have started agitating for the modernisation/elimination of the system, seeing it as a serious menace that causes many problems. Many individuals, including elder statesmen, see the Almajiri system as a menace, with multi-dimensional effects that spread from religious, economic, social to political challenges. Unfortunately, this has turned like a tradition in Northern Nigeria where people take begging as a profession, especially children sent to seek Islamic knowledge, and vulnerable people. Efforts should be made by governments and stakeholders to work on this phenomenon and save the North from the disadvantages associated with it.

Sabitiyu Abdulrashid Yunus, Maiduguri

Please complete Apo-Karshi road

Surprisingly, the FCT administration would rather pretend ignorance of the incessant traffic hold-ups along the Nyanya-Mararaba (Abuja-Keffi) expressway being used by motorists and travellers from different parts of the country. To worsen the situation, soldiers and policemen most times mount arbitrary checkpoints that make motorists spend hours before getting to their places of work and other destinations. It is laughable that the FCT administration is trading blames on the hold-ups, instead of opening up alternative routes like the abandoned Apo- Karshi road.

Johnson Akpan, Nyanya.

I hail Rohr on building a strong Super Eagles

I wish to disagree with some people who have been calling on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to remove the Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr. The fact is that Rohr is building a very strong Super Eagles by injecting young and dynamic players from around the globe. I am happy to hear that Rohr is going on a refresher course with Bayern Munich of Germany. Removing a coach is not the solution, but I would only advise Rohr to mind his choice of goalkeepers, and should never think of putting Daniel Akpeyi on that team anymore.

Eric Ugwu, Onitsha

Emulate Taraba on death penalty for kidnappers

I am pleased with the decision of the Taraba State House of Assembly to amend the state Kidnapping and Abduction Prohibition Act 2010, by introducing the death penalty and life imprisonment for offenders. This is a welcome development and I urge speedy assent by Governor Darius Ishaku to make the law active to help check the rising incidences of kidnapping. Drastic laws like that are very necessary to stem the rising crime wave in the country. I have no regard for the campaign to abolish the death penalty because I take such campaign as tacit encouragement of crime while publicly condemning it. Those who oppose the death penalty seem not to have experienced the horror unleashed by criminals on innocent people.

Timothy Azike, Asaba