Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has offered to support the education of Yusuf Aliyu, a teenage artisanal miner from Niger State, whose video went viral recently. Atiku stated that he was deeply moved by Aliyu's intelligence, confidence, and clarity, and believes that a child with such potential should be in school rather than struggling for survival. He emphasized that Aliyu's situation raises broader questions about poverty and the distribution of benefits from Nigeria's mineral resources.
Atiku said he does not see Aliyu as an "illegal miner" but as a Nigerian child whose potential has been constrained by poverty. He expressed his willingness to support Aliyu's education and ensure that his abilities are not lost to deprivation. Atiku also appealed for the safety of Aliyu and his family, warning that the attention generated by the video should not expose them to intimidation or retaliation. He requested that any effort to reach Aliyu should be handled through his family and appropriate child-protection channels.
The former vice president criticized the Federal Government's approach to artisanal mining, contrasting the current crackdown with the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Development Initiative (PAGMI) established under former President Muhammadu Buhari. Atiku stated that PAGMI was designed to register, train, and integrate artisanal miners into the formal economy, with Niger State among the states covered by the initiative. However, the Tinubu administration has instead confronted vulnerable miners through raids, detention, and criminalization.
Atiku linked Aliyu's story to the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State. He called on the government to explain what happened to PAGMI in Niger State and demanded answers over the deaths in custody. The deaths, confirmed by Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, followed the arrest of suspected illegal miners during NSCDC operations in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of the state on September 15 and 16.
The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the incident and suspended officers involved pending the outcome of the probe. The committee has two weeks to submit its report. The cause of the deaths has not been conclusively established, with the NSCDC initially referring to a suspected disease outbreak, while survivors and other reports have raised concerns about overcrowding and ventilation in the detention facility.
Atiku emphasized that Aliyu's story should serve as a reminder of the need to address the conditions that push children and vulnerable people into dangerous artisanal mining activities. He highlighted the potential that exists among children in deprived communities, arguing that poverty should not determine whether such children get an education or a future. Atiku vowed to continue speaking for children whose opportunities are being limited by poverty.
The former vice president concluded that the mineral wealth beneath such communities should be used to build schools and create livelihoods, rather than become associated with deprivation and loss of lives. He reiterated his commitment to supporting Aliyu's education and ensuring that his abilities are not lost to deprivation. Atiku's offer has sparked a national conversation about the need to address poverty and provide opportunities for children in deprived communities.
Key points
- Atiku Abubakar offers scholarship to Yusuf Aliyu, a teenage artisanal miner from Niger State.
- The former vice president criticizes the Federal Government's approach to artisanal mining.
- Aliyu's story raises broader questions about poverty and the distribution of benefits from Nigeria's mineral resources.
