By Brave Dickson
Business equipment running into millions of naira including cash have been donated to some Muslims in Rivers State by a Lagos based Islamic group known as Zakat & Sadaqa Foundation.
Beneficiaries of the gesture on Tuesday went home with: Industrial sewing machines, deep freezers, grain grinding machines, set of gas cookers, hair driers totally over 67 equipment as well as cash to serve as welfare and medical supports.
While admonishing the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the equipment and cash they have received, the State Islamic Leader and Vice President General, Rivers State Council For Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Nasir Awhelebe Uhor urged them to be law abiding and strive to be prosperous so as to be philanthropists to others too.
Alhaji Uhor said, “what we are doing here is targeted at lifting families out of poverty.
I thank the Foundation (Zakat & Sadaqa) and our honourable guests for being with us.
“I urge you Muslims to continue to live in peace with our neighbours. Obey the laws of the land. No Muslim should resort to violence but continue to be law abiding and support the programmes and activities of governments.”
Speaking on the significance of the empowerment initiative, the Executive Director, Zakat & Sadaqa Foundation, Prince Sulayma Olagunju said the group was established for the less privileged and not the rich in the country.
He said, “Islam does not want anyone to go hungry in our society. We are doing this to get poverty eradicated in our country.
“I thank the state Islamic leader, Alhaji Uhor for the good works he and his leadership are doing to better the lives of Muslims in the state including their efforts in making sure that this philanthropical project records this huge success in Rivers State. May Allah reward us all.”
Also the Rivers State Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Chairman, Apostle Stanley Dimkpa who was among the dignitaries invited to witness the gesture viewed the empowerment as well accepted from both biblical and Qur’anic stand points.
The state CAN chairman said, “I am sincerely very happy to be with you here today. This gesture is very impactful. To give to the needy is on both biblical and Qur’anic stand points fair in the sight of God.
“As Godly people, we should see peace and love among one another as our objective in life. For this reasons, I thank the Islamic community especially in the state for the peaceful co-existence we have been sharing.”
On his part, the Amanyanabo of Abuloma Community, Port Harcourt, His Royal Highness, King, Bright F. Ateke prayed God to give the beneficiaries the wisdom to use the equipment and cash in turning their economic fortune around for good.
According to him, “I pray that God should bless the receivers of these items for them to be givers next time.”
The monarch also urged all parents and guardians to warn their children and wards on the danger of vices while enjoining everyone to support governments in stamping out crime and criminality in the country.
The event was well attended with representatives from the state ministry of social welfare and rehabilitation, state national orientation agency, clerics and other leaders among others.
