Katsina state Governor, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, has said that the 19 Northern State Governors would meet by the end of this month to come up with a common stand in addressing problem of Almajiri system in the region.

Masari, who spoke yesterday at a media chat organised by the Katsina state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), said almajiri system was a serious problem and it would only be addressed through a common approach.

He said although Kano state government had enacted a law banning almajiri practice, the step had compounded the problem in many states, and lamented over the increasing number of almajiris roaming the streets and begging, saying 90 per cent of them were not Nigerians.

The governor said the 19 northern states would study the system, provide amenities in their schools and come up with common approach to minimise the problem.

“We would study the system and come up with common stand to address the problem in the entire interest of Northern states,” he said.

•Excerpted from a Blueprint report. Photo shows Governor Masari.