Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation, Egba/Yewa Zone of Ogun State, has distributed a support package worth about N51 million to 94 beneficiaries in the zone.

This was during the 17th Zakat Distribution Ceremony on Sunday, held at the Crescent Hall in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

While presenting his speech, at the event, the Ogun State Coordinator of the Foundation, Alhaji Anifowose Abdur-Rahman said the ceremony also featured the distribution of the Wuraola-Sadia Education Waqf Fund and an advance celebration of International Widows’ Day. 

He noted that the gathering reflected Islam’s commitment to social responsibility, justice and community development.

According to him, the Foundation generated about N46 million from Zakat contributions in the Egba/Yewa Zone in 2026, while total revenue from Zakat, Sadaqah, Waqf and other charitable sources exceeding N90 million.

According to him, this is a progressive improvement in Zakat mobilisation and distribution in the zone.

He explained that the N51 million intervention package comprised cash assistance, empowerment equipment, educational support, welfare assistance and productive assets aimed at improving the livelihoods of beneficiaries.

Highlighting the Foundation’s impact, Anifowose disclosed that between 2020 and 2026, the Egba/Yewa Zone assisted more than 400 beneficiaries through Zakat collections totaling about N160 million. 

He said the interventions had helped restore livelihoods, revive businesses and support education for vulnerable members of society.

He stressed that effective mobilisation and transparent management of Zakat could contribute significantly to addressing economic, social and security challenges in Nigeria.

The 2026 programme was themed, “Zakat and Social Responsibility: Strengthening Economic Security, Community Cohesion and National Peace.”

The coordinator commended Zakat payers, contributors and Zakat workers for their support, while urging beneficiaries to make productive use of the assistance received. 

He also encouraged Muslims to embrace charitable giving, declaring that, “If you are not Zakatable; you must be Sadaqatable.”

The Chief Imam of Egbaland, Sheikh Sa’adullahi Bamigbola, commended the Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation for its consistency in supporting the less privileged over the years.

Represented by Sheikh Tajudeen Adeosun, the Chief Imam urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the assistance provided, stressing that the opportunity should not be taken for granted or misused.

In a lecture delivered on the theme of the event, Imam Shafiu Omojole lamented the growing poverty level in society, noting that the middle class had virtually disappeared, a development he said had contributed to rising criminality.

He explained that Islam had provided a lasting solution to poverty through the institution of Zakat, expressing concern that poverty remained widespread within many Muslim communities despite the existence of such a mechanism.

According to him, Zakat plays a critical role in poverty alleviation by supporting educational pursuits, assisting widows and providing relief for unemployed individuals. 

He therefore called on Muslim leaders to intensify public enlightenment on the importance of Zakat and urged wealthy members of society to faithfully discharge their Zakat obligations in accordance with the blessings bestowed upon them by Allah.

Items distributed included industrial sewing machines, grinding machines, washing machines, industrial weaving machines, stone-cutting machines, freezers, building materials, clothing materials, ovens and Adire/Kampala production materials. Support was also provided for school fees and debt settlement.

The beneficiaries included 12 widows, 18 indigent students and orphans, one medical beneficiary, one elderly welfare recipient, mosque construction projects and 57 empowerment beneficiaries, including a Christian beneficiary.

The coordinator said the gesture demonstrated that charity transcends religious and social boundaries.