The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has called for greater support to ensure that Almajiri and out-of-school children have access to formal education that combines Arabic instruction with Western education.
Mrs Tinubu made the call on Thursday in Abuja while receiving the new Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Yousef bin Mohammed Albalawi, and the embassy’s Chief of Staff Mohammed Bukar.
She said that formal education would improve the children’s standard of living and help secure Nigeria’s future.
The First Lady called for a strategic partnership between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia to reform the Almajiri education system by integrating Islamic teachings with formal Western education.
She said the collaboration would help address the challenges facing Almajiri and out-of-school children while protecting the future of vulnerable children across the country.
Tinubu noted that Nigeria and Saudi Arabia had maintained cordial relations over the years and appreciated the ambassador for the visit.
“I work with women and vulnerable children in society, and my heart goes out to the Almajiri children in the North. I believe they need better care.
“This is because most of the insecurity challenges in the nation, if those particular group of children are not taken care of, I don’t know what might happen.
“I believe we can still start begin to give them formal education. If we are able to do that, the future of Nigeria will be well secured, ” Tinubu said.
Earlier, Albalawi, who said he had spent only five months in Nigeria, expressed satisfaction with the warm reception accorded him by government officials.
He said he had met with members of the Federal Executive Council and expressed confidence that the engagements would strengthen bilateral relations and promote the growth of both countries.
The ambassador said he looked forward to deeper cooperation that would enhance the economic development of Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
“As you are aware, our countries have strong relationship, we both share historical relationship, our nations share a lot of things- religion, culture and potentials to improve our relationship to get back in shape.
”Our nations have strong ambitions to improve our economy.”