A charity organisation, Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation has disbursed N207,807,592 to 2,685 beneficiaries across Lagos State from its 2023 zakat proceeds. The Executive Director of the foundation, Prince Sulayman Olagunju, disclosed this at the 19th edition of the disbursement ceremony.
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The foundation provided cash and working tools such as solar panel, grinding machines, sewing machines, embroidery machines, refrigerators, laptops, printers, motorcycles and tricycles, among others, to beneficiaries at the well-attended event.

Speaking at the ceremony, he said: “With your support, we are disbursing N207,807,592  to 2,685 beneficiaries in Lagos State alone today. This will bring our total zakat disbursement this year to N294,680,412 and 3,624 beneficiaries across 27 states. It will also formally bring this year’s zakat distribution to a close.”

Welcoming guests, donors and beneficiaries, the Olagunju stated that the bulk of the Lagos zakat proceed for 2023, about a N100m, went into the empowerment of artisans, traders and small-scale businesses.
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“A total of 95 persons with one ailment or the other were provided with funds to take care of themselves. We gave over N13m in support of house rents, thereby preventing 83 families from being ejected from their homes or rendered homeless. The sum of N4,950,000 was disbursed to settle debts owed by 112 beneficiaries. We offset the school fees of 315 students to the tune of N28,355,650.”

Olagunju further said that the exercise commenced on June 23 with the disbursement of N59.3m to 174 beneficiaries for health-related challenges, economic empowerment and education support.

“A substantial number of the beneficiaries were widows and orphans. It was purposely used to mark the United Nation’s International Widows’ Day.

“We are equally appreciative of our zakat payers who repose their trust in us and have enabled us to serve Allah through their contributions. Your continuous payment of zakat and sadaqat for onward disbursement to the rightful beneficiaries has made the foundation a household name across the country,” he noted.

The Chairman Board of Directors of the Foundation, Prof. Tajudeen Yusuf, in his speech, said that the major economic reform Nigeria is passing through is seriously affecting both the rich and poor.

This, he said, puts more pressure on the committee during the screening of thousands of less privileged Nigerians who applied for assistance during the year under review as a result of various challenges they were facing.

On his part, the MD of Accord Environmental Service, Mr. Ibraheem Salau, who donated an additional four solar panels to one of the beneficiaries, explained the impact of zakat distribution in society, saying that it speaks directly to poverty alleviation and encourages empathy for the needy.

Salau said that he donated four solar panels and extra cash to one of the zakat beneficiaries in obedience to Allah’s call to support her business.

Also speaking, the Rector of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Dr Abdul Adedotun Ibraheem, commended all those who have been consistent in paying zakat to ameliorate the suffering of the less privileged in society. He urged them to continue with the meritorious act.

According to him, “Zakat is not just a financial responsibility. It has a lot to do with moral and social responsibility. It’s having empathy for people around you and having a feeling about how to cater to the needs of the less privileged in society.”
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