The beneficiaries of the Sokoto State Ramadan Assistance have commended the annual commitment of the state government on Ramadan support to the needy.
The commendation was made during this year’s Zakkat and state government assistance distribution at Yabo District, headquarters of Yabo Local Government Area of Sokoto, on Wednesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gov. Aminu Tambuwal on April 5, inaugurated the distribution of assorted food items and clothing materials worth over N397 million.
The distribution would cover about 17,000 less privileged through its special Ramadan Welfare Scheme.
At the inauguration, Tambuwal said that about 17,000 poor and vulnerable persons including orphans in the 23 local government areas of the state would benefit from the programme.
He said that the programme was being implemented under the state’s Zakkat and Endowment Commission.
Malama Yar Maituwo Sodangi, one of the beneficiaries of a bag of rice and N5,000 cash, told NAN that the assistance had been very helpful to her and her children.
“As you can see, this is not the first time I am opportuned to benefit from the gesture. I have four children who are all under my care and this assistance has continued to ease a lot of my burdens.
“We use the food even after the period of Ramadan and sometime sell part of it to do some daily activities,” she said.
Madam Marka Bala also told NAN that the gesture was marvelous as it support her daily need during the period of Ramadan.
Bala, a mother of five, said the state government assistance aigment their feeding needs throughout the period of Ramadan and sometimes beyond.
One of the orphans, Ms Hadiza Aliyu, aged 12, who received clothing material and N1,000 cash for sewing, thanked the state government for providing her Sallah cloth for celebration.
Aliyu expressed happiness and prayed for the success of the government, while appealing for individuals to assist other orphans in order to enable them have new cloth during the celebration.
Earlier, Sheikh Nasir Abdulmu’uwi, the National Chairman, Administration of Jama’atul Izalatul Bidi’a Wa Ikamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS), National Headquarters, Jos, encouraged Muslims to engage in giving out Zakkat and Endowment.
Abdulmu’uwi, who was the Guest Speaker, thanked the Sokoto state government and all other Muslims that gave out their assistance to ease hardship in the society.
The Yabo District Head, Alhaji Muhammadu Maiturare II, said that N3.79 million, 282 bags of foodstuff, eight cows, camel, sheep and two goats were collected from wealthy individuals and distributed to the needy in the area.
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Malam Muhammad Maidoki, the Chairman, Zakkat and Endowment Commission, said that the state government provided 100 bags of rice, 100 clothing materials and N600,000 to each of the 86 districts for distribution to the indigent across the state.
