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Katsina govt to establish zakkat commission, housing project for orphans

The Katsina State Government is taking steps to pass a new law that will establish the Zakkat and Waqaf Commission as an agency within the state civil service.

This move is aimed at strengthening the existing Katsina Zakkat and Waqaf Board and enhancing its coordination of Zakkat’s disbursement in the near future.

Governor Dikko Umaru Radda disclosed this during the foundation laying ceremony of a housing estate project in Dandagoro, Batagarwa local government area of the state.

The housing project is specifically dedicated to orphans and displaced persons across the State.

In his address, Radda expressed his appreciation to the Chairman of Atta’awwun Islamic Foundation for initiating the project.

He assured that the state government and all 34 local governments in Katsina State would contribute a total of N100,000,000 million, representing ten per cent of the overall cost of the project.

Radda also personally donated N5,000,000 million to the endowment fund for the housing project.

Although the total amount raised by the members of the Katsina House of Assembly was not disclosed, he acknowledged the N10,000,000 million donation from renowned business mogul Alhaji Dahiru Mangal.

The governor urged spirited individuals in Katsina to extend their financial assistance to support the endowment fund further.

Meanwhile, the governor expressed his satisfaction with the prudent utilization of the donated funds for the project.

The Chairman of Atta’awuni Foundation, Dr. Ahmad Musa Abdullahi, explained that the estate project would comprise 400 housing units, a school providing both western and islamic education, and a health and skills acquisition centre.

Additionally, a nursery belt for nursing and selling economic trees would be part of the project.

Abdullahi proudly announced that their endowment fund had already generated over N200,000,000 million.

He expressed gratitude for the contribution received not only from the Katsina Muslim community but also from neighboring countries like Niger, Ghana, America, and Saudi Arabia.

He especially thanked Alhaji Bature Ahmed Kofar Bai for donating 2.5 hectares of land for the housing project.

During the ceremony, the Head of Zakkat and Waqaf at Atta’awuni Foundation, Engineer Muhammad Lawal Mai Doki, represented by Dr. Aliyu Dahiru, emphasized the importance of empowering the State Government’s Zakkat and Waqaf Board with sufficient funding and the involvement of young individuals.

The Emir of Katsina, represented by the Yandakan Katsina, Alh. Sada Mohammed Sada, and the Emir of Daura, represented by Shiekh Nazir Kofar Baru, also made generous donations on behalf of their respective Emirates.

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