ZSF spends N27.6m on 38 medically challenged persons in Lagos

A faith-based charity organization, Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation has disbursed about N27.6 million to assist 38 medically challenged persons in Lagos State.

The Executive Director of ZSF, Prince Sulayman Olagunju, at the 2018 Zakat distribution ceremony in Lagos, said the foundation distributes Zakat proceed every year across the state.

“Charities collected from Zakat, Sadaqat, proceeds from Waqf are distributed to the rightful beneficiaries, adding that the beneficiaries were carefully selected from the 56 applicants that applied for medical support from the foundation.”

“Most of the successful applicants are the ones that need urgent medical attention, that could not be delayed,” he said.

According to him the sum of N34 million was allocated for medical support out of N148 million zakat distributed last year.

He said the number of applicants requesting for over N300 million as at end of April stood at 647.

“During screening 56 applicant with serious health related issues like cancer of the anus, spinal cord, injuries, surgeries of various kinds, kidney transplant, hearing aid were picked’ he said.

Olagunju noted N78 million would be needed to cater for the needs of the 56 applicants but the foundation would be able to support just 38 out of the 56 medically challenged person that applied due to shortage of funds.

He assured that as soon as the foundation get more charity funds, other applicants would be attended to provided that they meet up with the screening exercise that ensure only deserving applicants received charity.

He added that the zakat collection and distribution is an injunction from Allah to collect from wealthy Muslims whose wealth is above Nisab (Minimum amount one must have before Zakat payment become obligatory) which is around N1.2 for 2018 in Nigeria as calculated by Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation using the price of gold in Nigeria markets.

“Our foundation is walking towards ensuring proper distribution of Zakat collected ever year since we commenced Zakat collection and distribution years back” he said.

He urged Muslims who are eligible to pay zakat or whose wealth is equal or above Nisab to join ZSF in reviving the most neglected pillar of Islam by paying their zakat to Zaqat and Sadaqat Foundation.

“Payment of zakat protects and increase one’s wealth. Moreover Allah will be pleased with the payer for removing the burden of poverty from the poor and indigents in the society,” he said.