Joy, Jubilation As Zakat Foundation Empowers Needy, Communities

It was a day a of joy, jubilations and renewed hope of for the underprivileged as the Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation empowered scores of individuals and communities in Osun State on Saturday.

The faith-based charity group, at its 10th Zakat Distribution Ceremony (ZDC) held in Ede town distributed Zakat proceeds worth millions of naira to over 100 beneficiaries, three rural communities. 

Various items as: grinding machines, vulcanising equipment, deep freezers, sewing machines, embroidery and industrial machine, photography cameras and printers, nylon cutting machines among others were distributed to the needy. 

The event graced by Islamic scholars and eminent personalities in the state also witnessed tens of beneficiaries who were given cheques (financial assistance) for empowerment as well as education and health supports.

The faith-based NGO .also empowered many widows and orphans with various forms of supports.

Communities empowered
Three motorized  boreholes under the “Free Water Project” of the foundation were also commissioned at Back to Land community,, Otito-Inu village and Ayeloja settlement of Ede town. 

In a speech, the Executive Director and the Chief Executive Officer, Prince Sulaiman Olagunju said in addition to providing humanitarian and welfare services to humanity, the foundation has been complementing government efforts and policies on poverty alleviation as well as the economic empowerment of the less-privileged. 

He said the Zakat foundation also focuses on improving social welfare through provision portable water and reducing maternal health issues and child mortality under its Public-Faith Participation (PFP) Scheme with Zakat Institution in Islam.

Olagunju said the group had earlier distributed Zakat in many states like Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia, ,Kogi, Abuja, Nasarawa, Zaria, Niger, Kwara and  Oyo, adding that, it would soon be the turn of other states like Ekiti, Ondo, Ogun, Edo and Lagos in a couple of weeks.

The State Administrative Officer, Mallam Moshood Olaoye urged philanthropists and well meaning individuals to partner with the foundation in alleviating poverty and in bringing succour to the poor. 

Mallam Olaoye  implored wealthy individuals and corporate bodies to donate generously to the foundation through its GT bank account 0465593085 or through its office at Ataoja Estate, Osogbo.

Commenting, former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr Adejare Bello applauded the great strides of the group and urged Nigerians, corporate bodies and government at all levels to support the organisation to do more. He also tasked other religious organisations to take a cue from ZSF.

A Patron of the  Muslim Copers’ Association, Alhaji Abdur-Rasaq Bamigbade also commended the charitable organisation. “If we have many religious organisations that engage in what the Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation is doing today, the rate of unemployment among our graduates will be drastically reduced. That is why this kind of noble endeavour should be encouraged”. 

Alhaji Bamigbade advised the beneficiaries to make the best use of the monetary assistance and the empowerment tools to ensure they do not relapse into poverty so the foundation could reach out to others, yet to be reached by the foundation.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Ojetimi Hasanat Taiwo who was empowered with photography camera and printer, as well as Mr Abdur -Rasheed Jinadu who was presented with embroidery (Tinko) machine were full of praises for the foundation. While urging other beneficiaries to put the assistance to go use, they also called on other well meaning organisations to emulate the ZSF; even as they prayed profusely for the growth and sustenance of the charity organisation.

Among those who witnessed the event wete the Chief Imam of Telemu and Chairman League of Imam And Alfas in Ola-Ouwa Local Government, Sheikh Musa Raji, the Chairman,  Ede Muslim Council, Alhaji Rufai Babatunde Elesin, the Mudeer Al-Haramain Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Sheikh Abdul-Ganiy Muhammad Thanni Olagunju among others.