By Abubakar Rabilu Gombe
A Gombe-based Zakat & Waqf Foundation has intensified efforts to reduce poverty and promote economic self-reliance among vulnerable members of society, disbursing ₦2.350 million in zakat to 38 beneficiaries during its Ramadan empowerment programme.
Chairman of the foundation’s Dr. Abdullahi Abubakar Lamido, disclosed this while speaking at the organisation’s annual Ramadan programme held in Gombe.
Lamido explained that the foundation was established to harness Islamic charitable instruments such as zakat, sadaqah and waqf to address poverty in a sustainable manner and improve the economic wellbeing of the less privileged.
He said the idea of setting up the foundation emerged in 2017 during discussions among scholars and professionals in Gombe on how zakat could be better organised to support poverty alleviation in the state.
According to him, the organisation was later formally registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in 2019, paving the way for the expansion of its activities.
“Our objective is not only to distribute charity but to empower people so they can become self-reliant and eventually move from being beneficiaries to contributors in society,” Lamido said.
He noted that since its establishment, the foundation has implemented various programmes, including support for orphans, scholarship assistance for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, youth empowerment initiatives and distribution of food items to vulnerable households during Ramadan.
Lamido described the Women’s Economic Empowerment Programme as one of the foundation’s flagship initiatives, explaining that it provides vocational training and start-up support to women to enable them establish small-scale businesses.
“At this year’s programme, we are graduating the ninth batch of women who have benefited from the initiative while new participants are also being admitted,” he said.
He added that the foundation also runs youth development programmes aimed at equipping young people with entrepreneurial skills and mentorship to encourage them to create opportunities for themselves rather than relying solely on government jobs.
Lamido said the programmes have produced encouraging results, with some beneficiaries already running small businesses and generating income even while still pursuing their education.
As part of its Ramadan interventions, the foundation also organises community iftar for orphans and vulnerable persons and distributes food items to needy families.
He further revealed that the organisation recently introduced a new initiative of delivering iftar meals to patients and their caregivers in hospitals across Gombe to ease the hardship many face during fasting.
He urged wealthy individuals whose assets meet the Islamic threshold for zakat to channel their contributions through structured charitable platforms to ensure effective distribution and lasting impact.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Occasion, Madakin Gombe Alhaji Umar Abubakar, commended the foundation for sustaining its humanitarian programmes despite economic challenges, noting that such initiatives play a key role in reducing poverty in society.
Similarly, the Chairman of the local Organising Committee, Engr. Ibrahim Kawuwa, welcomed guests and appreciated supporters of the foundation for their continued contributions.
He called on members of the public, particularly those with the means, to continue supporting charitable initiatives aimed at assisting the less privileged and strengthening community development.
