His eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has flagged off the 2024 annual distribution of farm produce Zakkat, targeted at over 20,000 needy people in Hadejia Emirate of Jigawa State.
The flag-off was held in Lafiya village of Guri local government area of the Emirate, and farm produce, including grains and animals, worth over N100 million, was presented for onward distribution to the needy.
Sultan Abubakar commended the Hadejia Emirate’s Zakkat/Waqaf Committee for doing a good job of collecting the Zakkat from well to do for distribution to the needy (less privileges) according to Islamic injunction.
The Sultan noted that, Zakkat/Waqaf is one of the major mechanism established in Islam for poverty eradication, promoting distribution of wealth, love, brotherhood, social integration, peace and stability in the society.
“Zakkat is also one of the five pillars of Islam, it is compulsory upon wealthy people whose wealth reaches specified amount and farmers whose harvested grains reached specified quantity as well as livestock among others, it is not optional.
“Therefore, I call upon all Muslims to give out Zakkat as ordained on them for the betterment of the society, their wealth and their wellbeing here and in the hereafter,” the Sultan stated.
The Sultan also pleaded with the state governor, Malam Umar Namadi, to consider the construction of an access road from Guri to Lafiya as he has been doing across the state to link rural communities with market and access to other social and economic opportunities.
In his speech, Governor Namadi thanked the Sultan, Hadejia Emirate and Zakkat committee for employing religious injunction to complement the effort of the state government in promoting the well-being of the less privileged persons in the society.
He assured the Sultan of Jigawa State’s continued support in his work to promote unity and tolerance among Nigerians and also promised to construct an access road from Guri to Lafiya within a short time.
In his remarks, the emir of Hadejia who is also the chairman of the Jigawa State Council of Chiefs, His Highness Dr Adamu Abubakar Maje thanked Governor Namadi, the Sultan of Sokoto and other dignitaries that graced the occasion.
Earlier before going to the venue for the flag-off of Zakkat distribution, a 4th annual lecture and award presentation of National Zakkat and Waqaf Committee held in the ancient city of Hadejia as part of the activities to mark Hadejia 2024 annual Zakkat distribution.
The occasion was also graced by powerful personalities including the chairman of the National Zakkat and Waqaf Committee, Professor Khalid Abubakar; the secretary general of the National Zakkat and Waqaf Committee, who is the former Secretary to the Government of Nigeria, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed; emir of Kazaure, Alhaji Najib Adamu; emir of Dutse, Alhaji Hameen Nuhu Sunusi; emir of Bade from Yobe State, Mai Bade; emir of Lere from Kastina State, among others.
