Jaiz Zakat empowers 50 in Ebonyi

NO fewer than 50 persons in Ebonyi State have been empowered by Jaiz Zakat and Waqf Trust Fund Trust Fund.

At the presentation of the empowerment items, on Sunday, in Abakaliki, the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, Imam Abdullahi Shuaib, said the event marked the fulfilment of the faith-based non-governmental organisation’s promise to support the vulnerable and underprivileged.

Abdullah recalled that the organisation was in Abakaliki in June this year for the distribution of food items to fasting Muslim brothers and sisters and it promised then to come back in a big way to assist the underprivileged to raise their economic power.

“Today, we are here in fulfilment of our promise to  support the vulnerable and underprivileged among you who have suffered some sorts of deprivations, marginalisation and neglect.

“On behalf of Jaiz Zakat and Waqf Trust Fund, I am delighted to share the good news of our commitment to the Ummah to wipe off your tears, soothe your pains by empowering some of you economically, meet the educational needs of some of you and take care of the health challenges of others,” he said.

According to him, Jaiz Zakat and Waqf Trust Fund (JZWTF) is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation established in 2014 and incorporated by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

“It is inspired by Islamic faith to provide socio-economic and humanitarian services to the poor and needy people. Our services include but not limited to Zakat assessment, collection and distribution, Waqf administration and management, economic empowerment, educational support, medical support, collection, rebranding and distribution of fairly used or old materials, Iftar Saim and human capital development of scholars and Imams.

He said that out of the N1.3 million earmarked for disbursement, 71.54 per cent was meant for the economic empowerment support of the beneficiaries while 23.84 per cent and 4.62 per cent were to take care of their educational and health needs respectively.

Abdullah listed the items donated to include three sewing machines and two generators for a business centre and a laundry business. A cassava grinding machine and various cash grants were distributed to other beneficiaries who sell food stuff as well as phone accessories.

He reiterated the commitments of the organisation to the uplift of the standard of living of the poor and the needy.

According to him, the gesture became necessary to close the gap between the haves and have-nots to enable the society experience peace.

“The successful Zakah beneficiaries, I urge you to make the most of your Zakah fund or item and not to divert it or sell it or squander the fund in a non-productive way. You should remember that not everybody has the opportunity you have today. This is a trust from Allah. We all have a duty to keep the trust”, he said.