NASFAT empowers members with vocational skills, gadgets

THE Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fathi Society (NASFAT), Ikotun Branch, has empowered some indigent members with vocational skills, gadgets and petty cash to start-up their small-scale businesses.

The empowerment programme, which was funded by the branch’s Zakat/Shadaqah Committee, headed by Alhaji Tirimisiyu Olaore, featured distribution of items such as sewing machines, catering ovens, grinding machines, deep freezers and soft srinks, confectionary items and lots of cash incentives.

Olaore, who regretted that the programme ought to have taken place a year earlier but for procedural delay, said the project was funded from the proceeds of the previous Zakat/Sadaqah collected.

According to him, “the total money expended on this project was about N850,000.00, minus the logistics. And this is a far cry, compared to our numbers here and the disturbing gaps created by the prevailing economic inequalities.

Hence, we have to do more so as to transform more lives, by lifting them out of the dungeon of poverty and hopelessness, with our Zakat and Sadaqah” The guest speaker at the occasion, who doubles as the Lead Missioner of the branch, Sheikh Abdulrofiu Abdulsalam, explained the importance of Zakat.

According to him, “Zakat is an obligatory financial exercise that must be performed by all Muslims, especially those that can afford it. The motive, according to the holy quran is essentially to entrench the culture of giving alms in every wealthy individual. It also aims to eliminate poverty and starvation, through the distribution of the zakat from the wealthy to the poor, in an attempt ease their burdens.

“However, while Zakat is compulsory, Sadaqah, an almost similar obligation is not compulsory. Sadaqah is an act of giving of alms to the needy. This act is involuntary but highly recommended by Allah SWT,” he added. The cleric, however noted that the specific amount (net profit) that is taxable for the statutory 2.5 per cent Zakat this year starts from N680,000. The beneficiaries, mostly indigent women and spinsters, were drawn from within the group’s Women, Youths and Congregations.

They were classified into four different groups namely; Economic Empowerment, Education, Widow and Physically Challenged. Their names were Ishiaq Kudirat (N85,000.00 Cash); Mariam Abdulsalam (Scholarship); Mrs Fausat Baoku (Grinding Machine); Idiat Adebisi (Grinding Machine; Mrs. Alade Saurat (Sewing Machine); Mrs. Nofisat Oladiti (Sewing Machine); Mrs. Onilenla Bilikis (Freezer); Mrs. Munirat Morakiyo (Provision with Wooden Kiosk); Mrs Badmus Fatimo (Crates of Mineral/Soft Drinks); AND Mrs. Olatundu Kafayat (Provision with Wooden Kiosk).

Others were: Mrs. Fatimo Oluwatomisin, a fruit seller (N20,000 for resuscitation of her business); Mrs Airat Bakare (Decoration Materials); Sidiqat Sidiq (Baking Oven); Mrs. Agbaraojo, a petty trader (N20,000 incentive for resuscitation of her business); Sister Titi Jimoh Fashilat (Baking Oven); Sister Adijat Bello (Soap Making Machine); Sikirat Abdulsalam (Sewing Machine); Rahmot Adebola (Food Stuff); Akinbola Awahu (Soap Making, Cosmetics and Insecticide items); and the sponsorship of the Eye operation of a vision impaired member, Alhaji Abdulganiyu Ojo in Eruwa, Oyo State.