By Musa Ubandawaki

SOKOTO:- The Sokoto State Government has released N727.1 million to support orphans and other vulnerable persons across the state ahead of the forthcoming Sallah celebration, in a major social welfare intervention aimed at easing hardship among disadvantaged families.

The Executive Chairman of the Sokoto State Zakkat and Endowment Agency (SOZEA), Malam Muhammad Lawal Mai Doki, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press conference in Sokoto, where he highlighted the government’s commitment to strengthening humanitarian support for the less privileged.

Mai Doki said the funds were approved and released by the Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, to ensure that orphans and vulnerable persons across the 87 districts of the state celebrate the Sallah festival with dignity.

According to him, the intervention forms part of the administration’s broader social protection programme designed to support disadvantaged groups and promote inclusive welfare across communities.

He explained that under the initiative, each beneficiary will receive one bag of rice, N10,000 in cash, and a bundle of Atamfa fabric, while vulnerable women will also receive N10,000 each to assist them in preparing for the Sallah celebration.

The SOZEA chairman noted that the gesture reflects the governor’s commitment to strengthening traditional welfare mechanisms rooted in Islamic social justice and community support systems.

He said the distribution was carried out across the 87 districts through transparent mechanisms involving community leaders and relevant stakeholders to ensure that the support reaches genuine beneficiaries.

Mai Doki emphasized that the initiative would significantly cushion the effects of economic hardship currently being experienced by many vulnerable households.

He also commended the former Governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, for supporting the programme through additional donations to assist orphans in the state.

According to him, Wamakko donated 10,000 bundles of Shadda fabric and N10 million through the agency for onward distribution to orphans as part of efforts to enable them celebrate Sallah comfortably.

The SOZEA chairman described the donation as a demonstration of sustained commitment by leaders of the state to humanitarian causes and the wellbeing of vulnerable citizens.

He added that the agency would ensure strict accountability and transparency in the distribution process so that the relief materials reach intended beneficiaries without diversion.

Mai Doki further called on philanthropists, corporate organisations and well meaning Nigerians to emulate the gesture by supporting programmes that uplift the poor and vulnerable.

Observers say the intervention underscores the growing role of faith based social welfare institutions in complementing government efforts to address poverty and social inequality across communities in Nigeria.