By Muhammad A. Yahuza, Sokoto
Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has pledged to continue to sustain religious activities in his bid to support upliftment of moral consciousness among people of the state.
The Governor made the pledge at the launching of an assistance to the poor elderly people in Sokoto metropolis, held at Government Girls’ College Sokoto.
Alhaji Tambuwal said this was necessary as to promote the cause of Islam as well as assist the needy people in all parts of the state.
He added that Zakkat and Endowment Committee was upgraded to the status of a Commission for the sake of the poor, for whose reason, the governor said, huge amount of money was being released on monthly basis to cater for the needy across the state.
Represented by the Secretary to Sokoto State Government, Professor Bashir Garba, Governor Tambuwal said the state government was looking into the possibility of extending the gesture to all twenty three local government areas in the state.
He said that this is in consideration of its importance in providing well fare to the needy especially elderly ones in the society.
He expressed the need for media organizations in the state to come out with various programmes on television and radio aimed at enlightening the people on the significance of assisting the needy.
In his remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, commended Sokoto State Government and the State Zakkat Commission for organising the programme, which he said had direct bearing to the needy especially elderly people.
The Sultan stressed the need for the state government to explore ways of covering all parts of the state as to enable others benefit.
In a remarks the Chairman of Sokoto State Zakkat and Endowment Commission, Malam Lawal Maidoki, advised wealthy individuals and non-Governmental Organizations in the state to contribute their quota to the programme in order to complement state government efforts in the direction of uplifting the living standard of the poor people in Sokoto State.
According to Maidoki, the idea was to ensure total welfare of less privileged persons in the state, adding that the assistance comprises food items, five thousand naira and clothing materials to each of the beneficiaries.
Others who spoke at the occasion include Chairman House Committee on Religious
Affairs, Alhaji Abduwahab Yahaya Goronyo, Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs, Hajiya Kulu Abdullahi Sifawa, and representative of Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Alhaji Mani Maishinko Katami.
