The Chairman of the Sokoto State Zakkat and Endowment Committee, Alhaji Lawal Maidoki, on Saturday, said the state government spent over N3 billion in payments of monthly allowances to 6,866 physically-challenged persons in the last eight years.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that each of the beneficiaries was given N6, 500 per month, under the gesture being channeled monthly through the committee.
Maidoki made the disclosure in Durbawa and Tsaki towns in Kware Local Government Area of the state when he inaugurated the distribution of Zakkat (alms) donated by the Muslim Ummah (community).
According to him, the state government has been unfailingly giving N45 million monthly to the committee for onward distribution to the beneficiaries.
He said “the gesture is aimed at alleviating the sufferings of the people, curb street begging.
“The payment of Zakkat is compulsory, while giving out endowments is voluntary, but highly encouraged.
“The payment of zakkat and giving out of endowments has helped in purifying wealth, boost peace and unity, as well as reduce poverty and unemployment”.
The chairman then commended the state government “for solely funding the activities of the committee, as well as the Sultanate Council of Sokoto”.
An Islamic scholar, Sheikh Usman Jabbi, in a sermon, underscored the need for wealthy individuals to pay zakkat and give out endowments.
This, he said, was to prevent the wrath of God from befalling on them, saying “God gives wealth for the common good of the society”.
The District Heads of Durbawa and Tsaki, Alhaji Mu’azu Yakubu and Alhaji Sambo Walijo respectively, commended the state government and the Sultanate Council of Sokoto for their sustained efforts to alleviate the sufferings of the people.
NAN reports that 60 needy persons were each given five bags of millet in Durbawa town, while 10 others got N10,000 cash.
Fourty-six other needy persons were also given five bags of millet and guinea corn each in Tsaki
town. (NAN)