Jaiz Foundation disburses N431m Zakat proceeds to 9,882 in eight years

By: Muslim News Nigeria

Jaiz Charity and Development Foundation has on Saturday, September 2, concluded its 2023 Zakat disbursement exercise, with the sum of N66 million shared among indigents across various states of the country.

Muslim News gathered that the disbursements went into different categories including economic wellbeing, educational support, health and humanitarian supports, accommodation, among others.

The grand finale took place in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja and was well-attended by top executives of the parent company, Jaiz Bank PLC.

The roll call included Chairman of Jaiz Bank, Alhaji Mohammed Mustapha Bintube; Managing Director, Jaiz Bank, Alhaji Ahmed Hassan; members of the bank’s board and senior management staff.

In his welcome address, the Chief Executive Officer of Jaiz Charity and Development Foundation, Dr. Abdullahi Shuaib, said a total sum of N431,557,808.05 had been disbursed as Zakat fund by his organisation since inception in 2016.

He added that no less than 9,882 beneficiaries across 29 states have been reached in the disbursements.

According to Dr. Shuaib in a powerpoint presentation, “It may interest you to know that available data in table 7 indicates that since inception of zakat collection and distribution by Jaiz Charity and Development Foundation, we have disbursed a total zakah fund of N431,557,808.05 to 9,882 beneficiaries across 29 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“Some of the states are Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara in the Northwest; FCT, Kogi, Kwara, Nassarawa, Niger, and Plateau, in the Northcentral; Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe in the Northeast. Other states include Lagos, Ogun, and Ondo in the Southwest; Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Edo, and Rivers in the Southsouth and Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo in the Southeast.”

He assured that the Jaiz Foundation would not rest on its oars in tackling poverty in the country, noting that they feel the pains of vulnerable people in the face of deplorable economic conditions.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it is pertinent to mention that the foundation is neither relenting nor resting on its oars in tackling the challenge of poverty ravaging our dear country. Despite all the efforts of governments in the past and recent time, this challenge seems intractable. If you recall, our dear country was among the 50 wealthy countries in the early 1970s but in the 2000s, Nigeria drifted into one of the 25 poorest countries in the comity of nations (Igbuzor, 2006).

“As if that was not problematic enough, according to the Brookings Institution’s Report (2018), the country slipped terribly so much so that it became the world capital of poverty. What a balance of apparent contradiction and a paradox for a country blessed immensely with both human and natural resources.

“Distinguished brothers and sisters, we seriously feel the pains and agonies of the poor, the needy and vulnerable people in our midst due to the deplorable economic situation of the country. We are more disturbed by available statistics and data which indicates that the toughest of the days and years ahead may better be imagined than experienced, especially for the poor ones among us.”

The Jaiz Foundation chief said the economic situation of the country is also affecting some of its zakat payers, praying Allah to bless their enterprises.

“As a faith-based organisation, we are not discouraged by all the aforementioned challenges. We believe that challenges are meant to be overcome. We also know that the federal government and the federating states are working round the clock to salvage the situation from bad to good. We are more resolute and committed to the cause of Allah and humanity at this moment of severe hardship for the poor and vulnerable.

“It is also important to note that even the rich also cry. It is sad that we are experiencing a declining trend among some of our zakat payers. They too are complaining of the harsh economic situation. We pray Allah continues to enrich their purses and bless their enterprises for shared prosperity.”

… Disburses N32m in Abuja

Muslim News gathered that the sum of N32,036,179.59 was distributed among 889 beneficiaries as zakat fund in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

The sum represents a 59.27% increase when compared to last year’s disbursement of N18,985,439.01 in the same place.

Dr. Shuaib revealed that the FCT has the highest allocation of 48% of the total zakat fund for 2023, while Lagos State ranked second with 20% allocation and Katsina State came third with 10% allocation.

“Specifically, for FCT disbursement of zakat fund, the analysis of data in table 6 and figure 4.3 illustrates the thematic areas with the highest and lowest allocation of zakat fund in terms of percentage for the year under review. For instance, education ranked first with N11,338,500 disbursed to 167 beneficiaries, which represents 35.4% of the total zakat fund of N32,036,179.59. Humanitarian support ranked second with N9,197,679, which represents 28.71% of the zakat fund to 81 beneficiaries.

“Both economic empowerment and health support occupied third and fourth positions with N7,435,000 and N4,065,000, representing 23.20% and 12.69% of the zakat fund given to 124 and 517 beneficiaries respectively. The human capital development of the Nigerian youth ranked first on the scale of priority of disbursement of zakat in the FCT for the year 2023 with humanitarian support and economic empowerment ranking second and third in order to lessen the burden of the harsh economic and living condition of the poor people,” he said.

“To further alleviate the sufferings of our people, we are distributing three industrial sewing machines, seven sewing machines, five grinding machines, two deep freezers, two washing machines, a generator, a vulcanizing machine and a mixer to 22 beneficiaries while the remaining beneficiaries will receive their zakat fund via bank transfers in order to enable them to meet their needs.”

Dr. Shuaib urged the beneficiaries to reciprocate the gesture of the zakat payers by utilising the funds and items given to them in the best way that will enable them attain financial independence.

He thanked the zakat payers, praying Allah to bless their wealth and families.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is our token and humble way of putting food on the tables of the poor and needy and also a way of wiping off their tears and making them feel valued as members of the ummah. It is important to thank our zakat payers for making this event a reality and for the confidence reposed in us. I pray Allah continue to bless their wealth and families.

“I urge all the beneficiaries to reciprocate the kind gesture of the zakat payers by utilizing the funds and items in the best way that will enable them to attain financial independence and join zakat payers in the years ahead.”

Jaiz committed to solving Nigeria’s poverty challenge, says Board Chair

Speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the occasion, the board chairman said Nigeria has no business being the poverty capital of the world.

He noted that Jaiz Bank is committed to being a part of the solution to Nigeria’s poverty challenge.

“You know Nigeria has no business being the poverty capital of the world or where poverty is so prevalent, with all the God-given resources, and most importantly, the people with a lot of intelligence, hard work and entrepreneurship. So, Jaiz Bank is committed to being a part of the solution to Nigeria’s problem, especially when it comes to poverty alleviation, empowering our people and also by laying the ethical foundation so that the young ones will grow up with ethics, hard work and determination so that they can also in turn, empower other people,” he said.

The chairman charged the government to support Jaiz Bank’s efforts by creating a conducive environment for doing business.

He said with that, “All organisations doing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) will also be empowered to donate the appropriate social responsibility to Jaiz Charity and Development Foundation.”

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