The Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation has disbursed empowerment and welfare support to 53 beneficiaries in Ogun State as part of its 16th Annual Zakat Distribution exercise, under the Egba/Yewa zone.
The Chief Executive Officer, Zakat and Zadaqat Foundation, Alhaj Sulaeman Olagunju,.on Sunday, described zakat as “productive”, noting that N40 million was disbursed last year and stressing the importance of closely monitoring beneficiaries to ensure impact.
He added that, this year’s Zakat proceeds in Ogun State reached ₦76 million as of March 2025, surpassing last year’s total collection of ₦51 million.
Olagunju described the gesture as an improvement of the exercise and encouragement on the part of Muslims regarding payment of Zakat in the state.
He appealed to recipients not to sell their empowerment tools but to use them to create value and eventually support others.
In his keynote address, Alhaj Abdul Rahman Anifowose, the Zonal Coordinator, described the event as a reflection of “Allah’s mercy” and a testament to communal resilience. Citing Qur’an 9:103, he emphasized the spiritual and societal importance of zakat as a means to purify wealth and uplift the less privileged.
He disclosed that out of 262 applications received this year, 53 individuals were selected for support, with the disbursement covering empowerment, welfare, education, medical, and debt relief.
While breaking down the distribution of Zakat to the beneficiaries,Anifowose reveals that 79 per cent of the beneficiaries received empowerment tools and capital support, 10 percent were awarded educational grants, 4.5% received welfare support, 4.5% were granted medical assistance, and 2% benefited from debt relief.
According to him, the foundation featured special recognition of two widows, in alignment with the World International Widows Day, to honour and uplift vulnerable women in society.
Chairman of the occasion, Alhaj Jamiu Rowaiye, urged Muslims to fulfill their religious obligation by paying zakat and charged beneficiaries to judiciously utilize the support provided, with the hope that they too would become zakat payers in the near future.
The Chief Guest Lecturer, Ustadh Mahmud Zakariyah, spoke on “Impactful and Productive Zakat: Beneficiaries on Call”, reminding both givers and receivers to act in accordance with Allah’s commandments.
He warned against misuse of empowerment items and urged beneficiaries to appreciate the divine mercy embedded in the support received.
In a goodwill message, Alhaj Kamaldeen Akintunde, Secretary of the Ogun State Muslim Council, commended the Foundation’s transparency, while urging the organisers to expand their humanitarian reach to conflict and disaster-hit areas like Borno, Niger, Plateau, and Benue States.
Also present at the event was Hon. Lukman Atobatele, a member of the Ogun State House of Assembly representing Abeokuta South 1.
He appealed to the foundation to conduct proper needs assessments before allocating empowerment materials and pleaded with beneficiaries not to sell the support tools.
He also disclosed that the foundation launched its Capacity Building Training (CBT) initiative earlier this year, which aims to equip beneficiaries with relevant entrepreneurial skills.
The coordinator commended Alhaja Asanot Bello for her instrumental role in facilitating the training programme, which has so far inspired many to embrace skill development and self-reliance.
He also lauded the Sadia–Wuraola Education Waqf programme held in April 2025 for providing scholarships to 25 students, a gesture, he described as a sadaqah jariyah (ongoing charity) that will yield spiritual rewards for donors.
While encouraging wealthy Muslims to support the zakat initiative, Alhaj Anifowose cited the words of Prophet Muhammad (SAW): “The upper hand is better than the lower hand.”
He also called on the Ogun State Government to partner with the foundation to deepen poverty alleviation efforts and support skill acquisition programmes.
He assured applicants who were not selected this year to remain hopeful, quoting Qur’an 94:6: “Indeed, with every difficulty, there is relief.”
The annual zakat distribution event is a pillar of Islamic social justice aimed at bridging inequality and promoting communal prosperity through the redistribution of wealth.
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