I’m in support of more Almajiri schools – CEO

Mrs Ochanya Lamai is the CEO, Mother Baby City in Keffi local government area, Nasarawa state. in this interview with Dominic Akpensuen, the seasoned broadcaster says she is in support of almajiri education and vows to fight women molestation and sexual harassment among students. She also vows to fight maternal and infant mortality. Excerpts

What gives birth to this NGO

I lost my sister through complications arising from child birth. After giving birth, she gave up the ghost.  I went through similar situation but I  was lucky; I had my daughter in US where there are good medical facilities and care even though I almost lost my life too.  I said I have to bridge the gap where you have prenatal and postnatal care.  The postnatal is usually neglected specially here in Africa, and Nigeria in particular because women feel they are strong. During prenatal pregnant women carry items along to labour room.

How do you reach to women?

I have about 12 staff working with me. We do organize classes for them to educate women because I learned a lot of lesson giving birth to my children abroad. I had books that you can read to enhance any mother preparing herself for child birth. We do organize Sallah shows, invite Nollywood artistes, musicians and horse riders and we also have books to encourage reading culture.

What is the scope of your NGO?

We have just started barely six months here in Keffi local government, but our primary aim is to go international because people don’t understand our concept because it is different. It’s not just about an NGO that can only take care of children but also   mother’s care. If we don’t do that it is like loving your chicks without loving the chicken, so we both take care of the child and the mother.

How do you impact knowledge to women?

Initially I was running a programme on air called Mother and Baby sponsored by the wife of Senator Tanko Al-makura. We do go  round villages to hear from them. We make provision for fairly used clothes and visited orphanages and IDP camps both in Nasarawa state and Benue state because I am from Benue state.

Have your NGO ever offered any scholarship?

Not yet, but we shall soon get there, because we’re looking at the systematic way which we can integrate with others and create synergy with them. Although I am from a Christian background, I married to a Muslim, so our concern is to marry the two religion together, by bringing Muslim and Christian kids in form of giving them an education and discovering their talents to develop them, particularly the less privileged children who are found on the street begging.

What is your take on public education?

As I have said earlier, were barely six months here in Keffi local government, and our blueprint captures all the idea of going to public schools educating children and making sure those who are brilliant definitely benefit from us in a near future.

Are you in partnership with any international NGO?

No, but our prayers and dreams is to have sponsor who could support us to actualize our dream. My concern is that I want to see the difficulties mothers go through during labour become easier, but with support from people because presently I am a lone operating within my capacity.

What is your take on Almajiri school?

I am totally in support of the building of more Almajiri schools, and at the same time I said no because I don’t support the way parents give out their children to the society they cannot trace their address. The  formal way of managing almajiri is to build schools that Malams will take care of them. The government and NGO’s can also support instead of allowing them to be roaming on the street. But there should be a former way of keeping Almajiri children where they can provide them with the necessary needs, place with facilities for their comfort. I will support Almajiri if it is managed as a full boarding school with facilities instead of allowing the children to be instructed in the hands of Mallam that they cannot take care of them. Although Almajiri practice is part of northern culture, there should be a formmal way of running it.

My children speaks Arabic language very well and write very well and also read Qu’ran, I could remember some years ago, a programme on NTA, “Tale by Moon light” where the presenter do asked “do you know where your child is?” But nowadays I wonder why parents don’t protect their children.

What is your agenda for Sexual harassment in tertiary institutions?

I really want to address it very well, right now at my old age I went back to school doing master’s degree. In fact, I went through similar situation  during my undergraduate days even as married woman. As a young lady you have to stand your ground and don’t compromise, if a lecturer harrass you, go straight and report to the authorities.

Luckly for students here in my school Nasarawa State University, recently they launched whistle blowing policy (see it, say it), whether it is sex for grade, extortion of money or what have you.

How can your NGO assist to enforce whistle blowing policy?

Most at times people just feel these laws are not in place and not being enforced, so they are afraid to report cases of sexual harassment. Students should avoid going to lecturers’ offices just to greet them. Office is not a place designed for greeting people. Ladies should stop going to lecturers’ homes to read for their exams

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