The Danmaliki Arewa Council of Chiefs, Lagos State, Ambassador, Dr. Dahiru Aliyu has reiterated that the Arewas in the Southern States of Nigeria are united even as he calls on parents to take proper training of their children more seriously.
He added that though the Arewas may have their political differences they are still united:
“Yes, the Arewas especially in the Southern States do not have any problem apart from the only issue which is all over and that is political differences. This is trying to separate us and care must be taken among us especially during the elections which is caused by the politicians who always use divide and rule against the people otherwise the Arewa people are united”.
“If you go to Mile 12 market, you will notice it without anybody telling you because everybody is doing their own, the younger ones are already with the elders and everyone is manning their own to ensure they care for their families and themselves. The same thing is obtained in all other markets and places where our people live and in Hausaline in Ajegunle, the same at Idi-Araba, at Agege and you will see that the Arewas are united”, he explained.
The human rights lawyer also noted that anywhere there’s trouble, if you investigate you will see that it is politically motivated, it can never be religious, because we all pray together in the same mosque. Only the Arewas can see three to five people eating from one plate and smiling without any issues because we are united.
He pointed out further, “The troubles amongst the youths is not peculiar amongst the Arewas alone but other tribes too. I can tell you that the cause of crime and everyone knows it could be attributed to poverty, frustration, lack of knowledge, unemployment, and lack of parenting”.
“I want to emphasize improper parenting here because parents have to give their children good training and education. when parents fail to give good training and education to their children, the results and consequences will affect the society, families, and the nation in general, so it is very key that parents train their children”.
Dr Aliyu emphasizes that to be gainfully employed is the duty of the government, not necessarily giving them jobs but empowering them. There are many youths today, not only Arewas but other tribes that have graduated from tertiary institutions that don’t have jobs. The negative result of this harms the entire nation.
“Giving them jobs or empowerment is a way of diverting their minds away from criminality and I am hereby calling on every parent whether Arewa, Yoruba, or Igbo to look after their children”, he noted.
