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Assessment of Food Insecurity among Almajiri in Sokoto Metropolis and Selected Environs (Gwadabawa and Kware), Sokoto State, Nigeria
SARKINGOBIR, Y; SAHABI, M; SAADU, A; BELLO, MM & BAKWAI, MS
Abstract
This paper aimed to assess food insecurity among Almajiri in Sokoto metropolis and it’s environs using
a structured questionnaire on 120 respondents. The respondents were Muslims, Hausa/ Fulani, males and Nigerians. The
occupations of Almajiri fathers were ,farming (66.7%) , business ( 16.7%) , and 16.7% were doing nothing. 33.3% of
their fathers were married to two wives, 25.0% married to three wives , 16.7% married to one wife each and , 16.7%
married to four wives .33.3% of the Almajiri said their fathers have two children, 25.0% said their fathers have three
children, and 8.3% have four kids ,and 8.3% have one child .None of the participants attended western school ,but only
25.0% admitted that they like " Boko " ( western education) ,while 75% said they don't like " Boko ".58.3% goes home
only after one year stay at the school ,25.0% return after graduation , 16.7% return home after 3years stay at school. 50.0%
said they always come with insufficient food from home, but 41.7% said they come with nothing.7.3% come with
insufficient money from home, whereas, 41.7% come with nothing. 41.7% eat food thrice ,25.0% eat twice, and 16.7%
eat once .58.3% earn through begging, 25.0% earn through domestic work ,and 16.7% earn through external work .75.0%
eat tuwo ,and 16.7% eat Gari ,and others. All the respondents echoed that the system hurt them psychologically. The
findings revealed that Almajiri children were unable to come with enough food or money to sustain them throughout their
stay at school. Thus, this depicts food insecurity, which in turn can invariably lead to hunger.Parents should give sufficient
provisions to their wards whenever sending them to Almajiri schools.The government, wealthy persons and relations
should fully put hands on deck to help Almajiri child.
Keywords
Food insecurity; Almajiri; child labour; domestic work
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