ZMSG TO ESTABLISH PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL AS ZAKAT BOARD OFFERS ASSISTANCE TO LESS PRIVILEGED

From Haruna Muh'd   Gusau

Governor Bello Muhammad of Zamfara state said his administration will soon create and construct a befitting  psychiatric hospital in the state.

The governor  disclosed this at the launch of third phase programme of the state Zakat Collection, Distribution and Endowment Board  which entails classified assistance to less privileged and other needy individuals drawn from the 17 Emirates  in the state.  

He noted that his administration resolved to establish a  psychiatric hospital in the state to relief citizens of the difficulties they encounter in accessing psychiatric services elsewhere and to de -propel  effects of drug addiction  which leads to criminal tendencies.

Governor Bello Muhammad further stated that economic empowerment is very key to his government, pledging more economic empowerment initiatives for the benefit of state's citizens.

He commended the board  under the leadership of Sheikh Abubakar Ibn Sodangi for its laudable initiatives beyond its primary roles, but also in aspects of poverty alleviation, assuring the board of all necessary support for it to succeed.

Governor Bello Muhammad  (Shattima of Sokoto) added, that his government would always bounce back to criminality  hitting hard on the state and called on management of Quranic schools (Islamiyya) in the state to always instil discipline  among teachers and students.

Earlier in his opening remarks, Executive Chairman of the state Zakat Collection, Distribution and Endowment Board, Sheikh Abubakar Ibn Sodangi Gusau,   said the third phase programme entailed assorted commodities and financial assistance to the needy and less privileged persons drawn from the respective 17 Emirates  in the state.

Sheikh Sodangi  450 people  with various forms and degrees of financial difficulties  got cash backing of varied amounts depending on the severity of circumstances.

He  further stated, that in order to empower poor families, the board is sponsoring 60 children of less privileged persons for a  diploma program in computer studies for them to become computer literates on the basis of which they can be self employed .

According to him,  the board has distributed 100 bags of 25kg of foodstuffs to people with HIV/AIDS  in the state in order to supplement their condition.

Sheikh Sodangi added, that  the third phase gesture was sequel to the  last six months of 2021 progress report,  while fresh programmes for 2922 are currently in the pipeline.

He said  in preparation for 2022, the board will   provide assistance to 500 orphans in the month of March.

Also, Sheikh Sodangi said as preparation for the upcoming Ramadan, the board is planning to provide  Ramadan/Sallah  packes to 40,000 people across the state.

He said support initiatives by the board are classified as phase 1 which is on daily basis, phase 2 on weekly basis while phase 3 is on monthly basis, respectively.

It could be remembered, that in December, 2021 the board had enumerated achievements recorded since the assumption of duty of Sheikh Abubakar Ibn Sodangi which covered last six months of 2021 during which over 11,700 people benefitted drawn from the 17 Emirates in the state.

In his sermon at the occasion, an Islamic scholar in the state, Sheikh Ahmad Ibn Umar Kanoma 

 reminded Muslim Ummah of the significance of Zakat  as one of the five pillars of Islam, which warned failure to discharge it  hinders acceptance of the remaining 4 pillars by Allah (SWA). 

He commended the board for touching the lives of unprivileged ones in the society and urged the management of the board not to relent in that direction, praying for restoration of peace in the state.