Tukari: Build schools for our children, Saudi-based Nigerians appeal to Buhari

By Mustapha Usman,

From Madinah

Nigerian settlers in Saudi Arabia, popularly known as “Tukari”, have appealed to the Federal Government to build conventional schools for their children for study in the Holy Land.

In an interview with newsmen in Madina on Thursday, the leaders of the Nigerians living in the holy city lamented that their children could not access proper education in Saudi schools.

Chairman of Jaliyan Nigeria Fi Madinatul Munawwara, an association of the Saudi-based Nigerians in Madina, Tijjani Ali, noted that establishing conventional schools in the country would make their children be acquainted with their fatherland.

According to him, the notion that Nigerian Tukaris were lagged behind in terms of education was borne out of the refusal of the federal government to grant their request for schools in the country.

He pointed out that countries like Chad, Mali, Pakistan, among others, had already established schools for their citizens living in Saudi Arabia.

He also expressed displeasure that their request to Nigerian government is yet to be granted for over 30 years.

“This popular notion that Tukari children are illiterate has been there for many years. As such, we only blame the federal government for its refusal to establish schools for our children in Saudi Arabia.

“If these schools are built here, our children would have known Nigeria, their fatherland better. Ironically, we had requested for schools for about 20 to 30 years but the federal government is yet to grant our pleas,” he said.

“Look at countries like Chad, Mali, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and others have already established schools for their citizen living here. We don’t our government follow suit while she has the wherewithal?,” he quizzed.

On his part, the secretary of the association, Muhammad Barnawi exonerated themselves from committing most of the atrocities attributed to Tukaris, saying: “They are perpetrated by other Africans who impersonate our citizens using Nigerian passport.”

Mr Barnawi emphasized that Saudi-based Nigerians were of good conduct, noting that no Tukari from the country had ever been convicted or executed of offence to the Saudi authorities.

He, however, restated their support to President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment to reform the country.

The secretary said they heard the stories of the performance of Mr Buhari in terms of security, economy and agriculture, adding that they would support the president even if he would contest 5 times.