An Islamic charity organisation, Darul-Kitab Foundation for Relief and Social Peace, has empowered 440 orphans and their guardians with starter kits and working tools through the support of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief (KsRelief).
The foundation said the initiative is aimed at moving beneficiaries from dependency to dignity and helping them become economically productive and socially resilient.
The Founder of the foundation, Sheikh Abdulkadri Salman, who is also the Chief Imam of the National Mosque, Abuja, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja at the official launch of the Care and Livelihood Empowerment Project for Orphans and their Guardians.
Salman said the event was organised for vulnerable people in Borno State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). He described the programme as an important intervention to address critical humanitarian needs across many communities in Nigeria, especially among internally displaced persons and vulnerable households.
According to him, thousands of orphans and their guardians continue to face daily challenges related to access to basic care, education and sustainable means of livelihood.
“Today, we inaugurate a programme that will directly support 440 beneficiaries through multiple livelihood pathways,” he said.
He explained that some beneficiaries would receive poultry starter kits, including cages, chicks, feed and a monthly stipend to give them a stable foundation for regular income.
“Some beneficiaries will receive poultry starter kits, including cages, chicks, food, and monthly stipend giving them a foundation for regular income.
“Others will receive tricycles, enabling them to earn through transportation services. We are also launching POS machines and kiosks to support small businesses and promote financial inclusion,” Salman said.
He added that skills development remains a major part of the project. According to him, the foundation is partnering with AFS Vocational Hub to enroll beneficiaries into structured training programmes in fashion design, leather works, culinary arts and soap making.
“Equally important is our investment in skills development. In partnership with AFS Vocational Hub, beneficiaries will be enrolled into structured training programmes in fashion design, leather works, culinary arts, and soap making,” he said.
Salman stressed that the initiative is not designed as a temporary solution but as a long-term opportunity to restore confidence, independence and economic stability.
“Upon completion of their training, participants will receive empowerment tools to begin their own journeys toward self-reliance.
“Our approach is guided by the belief that true humanitarian work is not only about providing aid or restoring dignity.
“It is about equipping individuals with the ability to rebuild their lives with pride and resilience.
“We recognise that many of our beneficiaries come from challenging circumstances, including displacement and poverty. Yet we also recognise their strength.
“Today’s commissioning is a message to every beneficiary: you are not forgotten, and you are not alone,” he said.
The Project Manager of the foundation, Dr Sulaiman Al-Gamawiy, said the project is designed to run for 12 months and will be implemented in structured and progressive phases to ensure effectiveness and sustainability.
Al-Gamawiy explained that the project targets 220 orphans and 220 guardians, making a total of 440 direct beneficiaries.
He said the programme includes several vocational and technical training sessions aimed at equipping beneficiaries with practical and market-relevant skills.
“There will be monthly sponsorship stipends for orphans, provided throughout the entire twelve-month period of the project, to support their basic needs, education, and overall wellbeing,” he said.
He further stated that from the sixth month to the twelfth month, the foundation would focus on monitoring, mentorship and business support to ensure the success of the new ventures started by beneficiaries.
“During Months 6 to month 12, Darul-Kitab Foundation will focus on monitoring, mentorship, and business support.
“This is to ensure that beneficiaries receive continuous guidance, technical advice, and supervision to help them stabilise their new ventures and achieve long-term self-reliance,” Al-Gamawiy said.
He assured that the foundation is committed to implementing the project with transparency and accountability.
“As the implementing organisation, Darul-Kitab Foundation is fully committed to delivering the project with the highest standards of transparency, accountability and Impact.
“We have put in place strong monitoring and evaluation systems to ensure that every resource entrusted to us is used effectively, responsibly, and reaches the intended beneficiaries,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Mr Delu Yakubu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, said the project aligns with the humanitarian and poverty reduction goals of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Represented by Mr Bashir Butoma, he noted that Nigeria has a large number of people in need of relief due to banditry and insurgency.
“We have seen that King Salman Humanitarian Relief Centre has played the humanitarian role of complementing the efforts of the Nigerian government through the Darul Kitab Foundation.
“We are thanking the Centre and also calling on all well-meaning Nigerians to emulate the gesture as Federal Government can not do it alone.
“All hands need to be on deck to make sure that we bring relief to the Nigerian people,” he said.
Dr Khadija Ibrahim, Founder of Being a Human Foundation for the Less Privileged, described the initiative as a positive step toward reducing poverty in the country.
“This is a good cause, and I love to always be associated with this kind of event, and that is why I am here today to rejoice with the beneficiaries.
“I advise them to make use of what they have been given here today, wisely, so that they can take themselves out of the street and become independent instead of being dependent on people every time,” she said.
