…..provides working tools for artisans, financial support to traders, students

By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

The Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) through its Education, Social, and Health Mission (MESH) has distributed Zakat to some selected Muslims in Ogun State, as a form of empowerment.

The beneficiaries of the gesture included artisans and traders who received working tools and financial assistance to support their businesses and students also received grants to support their education in tertiary institutions in the country.

Working tools distributed to the beneficiaries included industrial sewing machines, ovens machine, shoes making machines, laptops and cheque amongst others to 45 beneficiaries at the empowerment programme.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, which took place in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, the
President-General of NSCIA, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar charged the beneficiaries to make good use of various items to improve on their businesses to enable them to support such initiative through payment of Zakat as one of pillars of Islam and reduce poverty in the country.

The Sultan who was represented by Dr.Abdullahi Shuib, a member of Board of Trustees of MESH, said the distribution was the second edition of the empowerment programme by MESH, stressing that maiden edition was held in Dutse, Jigawa State.

According to him, Education, Social, and Health Mission (MESH) was established by the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) as an implementing entity to provide relief services on education, social, and support access to healthcare service to indigent Muslims and non-Muslims in Nigeria.

“From the beginning of this 2024 zakat distribution, MESH has supported more than seven hundred (711) individuals through equipment distribution, education support, inmates, and support for Muslim revertees”, he revealed

“It started operations in April 2017 with funding from the NSCIA and donors. It has implemented several projects across the country”.

The Sultan expressed the commitment of MESH to continue to wipe tears of less priviledged in the society, especially vulnerable Muslims who are facing difficulty during the economic hardship in the country, quoting holy Muhammad (PBUH) on the spiritual significance of reducing financial burden of fellow Muslims through payment and distribution of Zakat to alleviate pains and reduce poverty in the society.

“At MESH, we are committed to wiping the tears of the less privilege in our society, especially vulnerable Muslims. We are inspired by the words of our beloved prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that whoever relieves a Muslim of a burden from the burdens of this world, Allah will relieve him of a burden from the burdens on the day of judgement. And whoever helps to ease a difficulty in this world, Allah will” , he stated.

Similarly, the Coordinator/Lead Programme officer of MESH, Hajia Khadijah Oladipupo, equally urged beneficiaries to use the support tools and financial assistance to improve on their businesses.
“I beseech you to use it judiciously to improve your economic status, so that you can help others around you and in turn pay your zakat in the nearest future” , she charged.

The Coordinator who appreciated the efforts of Board of Trustees of MESH and leaders of the Ogun State Muslim Council as well as donors and volunteers in ensuring success of the second edition of Zakat distribution, however called on well to do Muslims to rise up and support the initiative.

“I urge the well to do in the Muslim communities to join hands with MESH and the NSCIA to ensure that the living conditions of the widows, orphans, out-of-school children and the vulnerable are improved through economic empowerment, scholarship scheme, social justice and re-distribution of wealth”, she stated.

In his keynote address, the President-General of Ogun State Muslim Council, Awujale of Ijebuland Oba Sikiru Adetona lauded the initiative of the Muslim apex body for establishing a Non-Governmental Organization such as “MESH”, to distribute Zakat to vulnerable Muslims particularly during these global economic challenges

The aim and essence of Zakat according to the Paramount ruler of Ijebu land, is to provide for the needy. Zakat is about caring for the welfare of the vulnerable and downtrodden in the society. It is for poverty reduction and a way of circulating wealth for the benefit of the masses.

The monarch who was represented by the Vice-President-General (Remo Zone) of the State Muslim Council,Prof. Habeeb Oladipo Oduye, expressed confidence that the distribution of Zakat which is the third pillar of Islam, would help reduce poverty and create wealth for the beneficiaries who would be in position to also pay their Zakat for the benefit of other Muslims.

Oba Adetona then encouraged Muslims to key into the initiative through payment of Zakat to empower other vulnerable Muslims in the country while commending similar efforts by Zakat and Sadakat Foundation, Ar-Rahman ZAKAAT Foubdation and others established towards improving the socio-economic condition of humankind.

“I also enjoin the concerned categories of Nigerians to key into these socio-econmic programmes as a welfare provision, relief and succour for them”

“This 1446 A H /2024 Zakat distribution by NSCIA’s MESH for economic empowerment (of artisans and other tradesmen), for educational support in form of tuition fees of indigent students and undergraduates deserve accolades and appreciation for NSCIA.

“Indeed,it is a significant and worthwhile demonstration of belief in an injunction of Islam which all conscious Muslims must abide by”

“I am delighted to be part of this event to present a keynote address, fulfilling socio-religious ceremony put together by the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), through its NGO, called “Education Social and Health Mission (MESH) and midwife by Ogun State Muslim Council (OMC) under my leadership as President-General”, the Awujale stated.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the occasion, Olu of Eleyele town and Sultan of Owu Kingdom, Oba (Dr) Sultan M.A. Ola Yusuf who appreciated the financial support and provision of working tools given to traders and artisans and scholarship to students through MESH initiative of NSCIA while imploring beneficiaries to make good use of the empowerment support given to them and be ready to also pay their Zakat as part of proceeds of their businesses in the next two years for the systenance of programme for other Muslims

“To the beneficiaries, I would like to implore you to make use of the items provided for you so that you would also be in turn to give Zakat within the next two years of today’s programmne”, he stated

The monarch who lauded the leadership of the State Muslims Council for its transparency and honesty in the distribution of the palliatives to beneficiaries, however encouraged Adult Muslims who are capable of paying Zakat as part of their religious obligations in the society, saying Zakat is among five pillars of Islam stated in the Holy Quran to uplift less privileges in the society

“I would like to encourage all adults and capable Muslims to pay their Zakas as at when due. Muslims should not run away from paying their Zakat to the appropriate quarters”

“Let me place on record that the entire Muslims in Ogun State really appreciate this good gesture and promise on behalf of the beneficiaries that all items provided for the Artisans would be put in good”, he assured.

High point of the event was the distribution of working tools to artisans, financial assistance to traders and scholarship to selected students after thorough screening by the committee and consultant to the programme.