The Companion Kwara District Zakat Committee has disbursed more than N6.2 million in cash grants and business equipment to 38 vulnerable residents in Kwara State as part of efforts to reduce poverty and support economic self-reliance.
The intervention, carried out in Ilorin, included over N5 million in direct cash support and business tools valued at N1.2 million. The committee said 99 applicants were screened before the final beneficiaries were selected.
Chairman of the committee, Dr AbdulMusawwir Alli-Oluwafuyi, said the programme was created to support less privileged members of society and help them build sustainable sources of income.
According to him, the increase in the value of this year’s intervention reflects growing public confidence in the committee’s management of Zakat contributions.
“What we distributed this year is more than what we distributed last year. It shows that people now trust us more with the administration of their Zakat,” he said.
He urged wealthy Muslims to continue supporting vulnerable people through Zakat, stressing the importance of transparency, proper screening and accountability in the distribution process.
Dr Alli-Oluwafuyi also identified low awareness and the reluctance of some struggling individuals to seek assistance as challenges affecting the programme.
He called for better publicity and improved documentation to ensure more vulnerable residents can benefit from future interventions.
The beneficiaries included 19 artisans and small business owners, 11 students, six indigent persons and two sick applicants.
Items distributed during the exercise included sewing machines, a weaving machine, a gas iron with cylinder, a blender, a projector and cash grants aimed at supporting small businesses, education and welfare.
One of the beneficiaries, Yusuf Aweda, who received support under the educational category, said he applied for a projector to improve digital learning for secondary school students.
Aweda, a digital technology instructor, said many students still lack access to practical digital learning facilities, adding that the equipment would help improve classroom teaching and reduce digital illiteracy among young people.
Professor Abdujafaru Olawale Fahm also encouraged wealthy individuals to embrace charitable giving, noting that supporting vulnerable people promotes social harmony and attracts blessings.
