Foundation supports indigent Lagos residents

In a significant move to combat poverty, the Ibile Muslims Community Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation distributed N85.5 million in charitable funds to underprivileged residents of Lagos State. The disbursement, held at the Eko FM Arcade in Ikeja, aimed to provide crucial support to students, traders, Imams, and other vulnerable individuals.

The event, which also served as a fundraising initiative for the foundation, drew prominent figures from across Nigeria.

A member of the Board of Trustees, Mr. AbdulHamid Ademola Danmole, emphasized that this distribution marked the initial phase of the foundation’s commitment to disbursing Zakat funds.

“At this initial stage, we disbursed N85.5 million to the less privileged among us,” he stated, adding that further disbursements were planned throughout the year.

The funds were allocated across various categories, including scholarships for 200 students, support for 25 Ph.D. and 25 Master’s students, grants for 25 traders and assistance for 100 Imams from Lagos mosques. Mr. Danmole urged beneficiaries to utilize the funds wisely.

The Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Sulaimon Oluwatoyin Abu-Nollah, congratulated the recipients and echoed the call for responsible use of the funds, assuring that the foundation’s efforts would continue .

Senator, representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Mukahil Tokunbo Abiru, commended the foundation’s initiative and highlighted the importance of equitable wealth distribution as mandated by Islamic principles. “The essence of Zakat and Sadaqat is to ensure equal distribution of wealth where no one is oppressed or feels neglected in the society,” he said.

He further urged the foundation to expand its reach, emphasizing that a wider distribution of Zakat could significantly address economic challenges and create employment.

“It is a time to reflect on one of the tenets of our religion, which is Zakat, and its payment is a compulsion upon wealthy Muslims,” Senator Abiru stated. “It is a way of spreading wealth in a way and manner that the society will benefit from.”

A beneficiary, Hussein AbdulRahman Olatunji, who received an education support scholarship of N200,000, expressed his gratitude. “I am indeed delighted for this gesture; it will go a long way in making me concentrate on my studies,” he said, promising to make the best use of the grant.