Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation distributes learning materials to indigent pupils in Oyo, Kwara

THE Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation (ZSF) kicked off its ‘Back to School Programme’ in Oyo and Kwara states early in the week with the distribution of free bags, books and other materials to a total of 257 indigent students of public schools across the two states.

At the programme in Oyo State, where 57 pupils from primary and secondary schools were beneficiaries, the state coordinator of the ZSF, Dr Nofiu Musa, explained that the initiative was in furtherance of mission of the organisation, established 23 years ago, to bring succour to members of the vulnerable segments of society.

He said the gesture, targeted mainly at students at a stage between primary and senior secondary schools, was meant to complement other similar education intervention programmes of the ZSF like the payment of the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) fees of outgoing secondary school students.

According to him, the organisation requires the continuous assistance of philanthropists and other wealthy people in the society to enable it to reach out to more vulnerable groups of Nigerians.

The chairman of the occasion, Professor AbdulWasiu Ajagbe of the University of Ibadan, commended the ZSF for taking the initiative, saying the programme was a vital intervention that should be supported by all and sundry.

He also commended the parents of the beneficiaries, many of whom accompanied their children to the event, for braving the prevailing economic hardship in the country and keeping their children in school.

Alhaja Sherifat Akinlabi-Raji, a retired director from the federal civil service, who gave a pep talk at the event, declared that parents could not afford to take the education of the girl-child with levity because in the contemporary world, both men and women are exposed to equal opportunity to reach their full potential in education and their chosen careers.

She urged the benefitting students not to give in to peer pressure but to work hard to excel in their studies and become ambassadors of their families, Nigeria and the world.

The state administrative officer of the ZSF, Ustaz Qasim Durojaye, said the programme would soon be extended to other parts of the state.

A highlight of the event was an inter-school quiz competition which saw the winners and runners-up presented with gifts.

In Kwara State, about 200 pupils selected from 19 primary and secondary schools across the state benefitted from the distribution of similar materials worth N10,000 for each pupil.

The state coordinator of the foundation, Mr Ariyo Olalekan, said at the distribution event that the programme was one of ZSF’s activities designed to complement government’s efforts in the area of education.

Olalekan said the beneficiaries were carefully selected pupils who were facing challenges with their education.

He called on all stakeholders in the education sector to play their parts in providing quality and morally sound education to students.

Also speaking, the state administrative officer of the foundation, Malam Surajudeen Adisa, solicited for the support of the people in form of donations to enable a greater number of students to benefit in subsequent editions of the programme.

“Corruption is rampant in society today only because the mind, not the heart, is being educated.

“This programme has no barriers but cuts across all religions,” he noted.

The state governor, Malam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, who was represented by the Director, School Services, Kwara State Ministry of Education, AbdulSalam Abdulazeez Adeshina, thanked the ZSF for supporting education in the state and called on other stakeholders to emulate the foundation.

In a remark, a parent of one of the beneficiaries, Salmat Abdulkadir, said “this programme has brought a huge financial relief to my family.”

A highpoint of the programme was the presentation of the items to the students, who were accompanied by their parents and teachers.