IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL PRACTICE (IJRCP )

E-ISSN 2579-0501
P-ISSN 2695-219X
VOL. 6 NO. 1 2021

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Reformation of the Almajiri through Formal Education: A Pathway to Countering Religious Conflicts in Nigeri

Egwuanikwu Mary Ifechukwude, Ph.D & Egwuanikwu Ifeanyi Gibson, Ph.D

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Abstract

Religious conflicts have become very rampant in Nigeria, especially in Northern part of the country. A large proportion of these crises have been traced to religious bigotry, intolerant attitude of some religious fundamentalists towards adherents of other religion, as well as some politicians who exploit religious sentiments for their selfish interest. Unfortunately, the vulnerable Almajirai have become easy tools for such misguided mission. The main thrust of this paper therefore, is to examine formal education as a catalyst for reforming the Almajirai as a means of countering religious conflicts in Nigeria. The study employed historical analytical method and considered formal educations to have the capacity to reorient ate and enlighten the Almajirai to be morally sound, tolerant, and productive in order to promote peace and stability in Nigeria. It also examined Government strategies for the rehabilitation of these vulnerable children, and identified persistent cultural and religious challenges coupled with poor funding as major impediments to the policy. The paper therefore recommended that Government should collaborate with non-Governmental agencies to properly supervise the policy, embark on public enlightenment to disabuse the minds of the Almajirai on erroneous cultural beliefs; employ qualified teachers, provide adequate funding for the programme, and equally include religious education in the school curriculum for moral instructions

keywords:

Reformation, Education, Religious Conflicts, Almajiri

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