The Dawah Front of Nigeria, Abeokuta Chapter in partnership with Amir Zakat Foundation, has empowered fifty entrepreneurs and small-scale business owners with working tools and business support items worth over ₦11.6 million.
Penpushing reports that the empowerment programme, which is the 6th edition organised by the Islamic organisation, was aimed at promoting economic self-reliance, poverty reduction and sustainable livelihood among beneficiaries across Abeokuta and its environs.
The Deputy National Coordinator of Dawah Front of Nigeria, Prof. Sheriffdeen Adewuyi, who spoke on behalf of the National Coordinator explained that the initiative also reflects the practical application of Zakat in Islam as a means of wealth redistribution, economic empowerment and social support for the less privileged in society, in line with the principles of Sharia.
Penpushing further reports he urged beneficiaries to make productive use of the items and opportunities provided to improve their businesses and become economically self-reliant
The coordinator emphasised the importance of sustaining the collaboration between Dawah Front of Nigeria and Amir Zakat Foundation, while encouraging Muslims to continue fulfilling the religious obligation of Zakat so that more vulnerable people could benefit from future empowerment initiatives.
Penpushing also report that he commended Amir Zakat Foundation for its financial commitment and consistent support towards the success of the programme over the years.
The Abeokuta Chapter Coordinator of Dawah Front of Nigeria, Dr. Samsideen Ayanwale, in his remarks disclosed that Amir Zakat Foundation contributed about ₦7 million towards the implementation of the empowerment programme organised by the chapter.
Penpushing reports that he explained that the initiative was designed not only to provide immediate support for beneficiaries, as well as to create long-term economic value capable of transforming lives and supporting families.
The Chairman of the Zakat Committee of the chapter, Alhaji Surajudeen Fashola, disclosed that seventy-three applications were received for the programme, while sixty-four applicants participated in the screening and assessment exercise.
Penpushing further reports that he explained that after a rigorous selection process, fifty beneficiaries comprising thirty-eight women and twelve men emerged successful, adding that empowerment items worth ₦10.5 million had already been distributed to forty-five beneficiaries, while arrangements were ongoing for the remaining five beneficiaries to receive items valued at about ₦1.1 million, bringing the total value of the programme to ₦11.6 million.
The Secretary of the Zakat Committee, Yusuff Olugbade, stressed the need for proper documentation and presentation by applicants during future screening exercises to improve their chances of benefiting from subsequent empowerment programmes.
Penpushing also reports that the Consultant to the Committee, Waheed Quadri, assured the organisation that adequate monitoring mechanisms had been put in place to ensure that all distributed items were properly utilised for the purposes intended.
The goodwill messages were delivered by Alhaja Morufat who encouraged Muslims to consistently pay Zakat from their wealth to support humanitarian and empowerment initiatives, while the pioneer Chairman of the Zakat Committee, Alhaji Oke, commended members of the committee for sustaining the programme as an effective tool for poverty alleviation and community development.
Penpushing reports that at the presentation ceremony held at the Abeokuta Central Mosque, beneficiaries were presented with various business tools and equipment including industrial sewing machines, manual sewing machines, refrigerators, deep freezers, laptop computers, generators, grinding machines, laminating machines, weaving machines, gas irons, food items and other business support materials.
The beneficiaries included traders, artisans, food vendors, fashion designers, POS operators and computer business operators selected after a thorough screening process conducted by the committee.
Penpushing further reports that, one of the beneficiaries, Kehinde Zainab, received a deep freezer alongside assorted soft drinks as business start-up support to strengthen and expand her commercial activities.
The beneficiaries expressed appreciation to Dawah Front of Nigeria and Amir Zakat Foundation for the gesture, pledging to make judicious use of the items and support received to grow their businesses and improve their livelihoods.
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