SULTAN {Preview}

Chapter Thirty-one

"Morning Jakadiya, how are you today"

"I'm fine my lady, your breakfast is served"

"Okay, I will be there in a minute. Thank you."

"Is there any work I can do for you now?"

"No Jakadiya, that will be all for now"she smiled while the latter nodded with a smile also and left.

***
The few title holders that were present rose and greeted me when I entered the Palace, I sat down and motioned to them to do same. One of my dogarai ran up to me to pass an errand "Your highness, Mallam Hammanyero is here, should I usher him in? He asked

"Oh he's here already, let him in" few minutes later, the said Mallam walked in with a Salaam.

"Jam bandu na Allah reni good morning your highness"

"Jam wala ko dume I'm fine Alhamdulillah, Mallam Hammanyero, you are here already?"

"Yes your highness, I came with the boys"

"Bring them in then" he bowed in respect then went out and came back in lead with 33 boys behind, ranging from ages 14-16.

Few days ago on a Friday, I had attended their Quranic graduation which their Mallam invited me to. The boys were his almajirai, the types that were normally sent from various places to study, they sometimes beg in order to eat and even at now that some were graduated, they may not want to go back to their homes and means of survival then becomes another issue.

Through out the event, I kept pondering on the possible means of reducing the rate of almajiri boys begging on the street to the nearest minimum. Even when I came back home, Khairi observed that something was bordering me, when she asked, I told her and also my intentions but how I was clueless on what to do.

"Why don't you give these boys capital to start up a business, the graduands  I mean. So they can help themselves, and even assist their parents from what they earn, you know why some don't like going back home is because they feel that even though they have attained the knowledge, which is the most vital, they feel going back home empty handed is a big failure, hence they go far and wide looking for means to survive and to save also.

Some of these almajirai are brought by their parents at a very tender age, some of the parents visit, some don't, thence, some even forget their identity even if they want to go back home. So you see by giving them capital, you will go a long way in helping them stand on their feet, be responsible and have a sense of belonging which is the most important.

About reducing the rate of begging on the streets, you can set up a committee for funding these schools, you know providing them with their basic needs food, clothes and the likes. Then be monitoring them from time to time and promise to set up a business for them when they graduate, it will be of great help, not to talk of the multiple rewards you will get from Allah"

That day, I had given Khairi an intense look which I'm sure she couldn't read, in my mind I thanked Allah for bringing her into my life, because I prayed to Allah to give me a good woman, he gave me even more, he gave me a wise and brilliant one, all in form of one.

For lack of words of gratitude to use, I picked her up and twirled her around while making funny faces causing her to laugh till we both felt light headed and out of breath. Together, we sat down and strategized the type of business to set up for the boys. "May Allah reward you and grant you all your heart desires in this duniya and akhirah"  I prayed for her

Now back to the boys, they all greeted me and squatted in a half cycle. I had contacted Mallam Hammanyero their teacher and told him of my intentions, after telling Abba and members of my cabinet of course. The Mallam was so excited with the news and showered blessings on me, on the stipulated date which is today, I told him to come with the boys.