By Roundoffnews
It was an atmosphere of joy and celebration at the Central Mosque Ado Ekiti as 35 persons from Ekiti state benefited from another edition of the empowerment programme of the Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation.
Roundoffnews correspondent gathered that the beneficiaries who were drawn from various denominations and communities in Ekiti State could not hide their joy as their benefits were handed over to them.
Among the items donated to the beneficiaries are sewing machines, shoe making facilities, grinding machines while some beneficiaries got cash gift to support their businesses, accommodation bills, health bills, academics and upkeep.
This edition of the programme is one out of many that had been held in the state just as the benefiting state has now risen from 21 to 28.
Addressing the beneficiaries, the Executive Director, Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation, Prince Sulayman Olagunju represented by Alhaji Misbahudeen Ismail made it clear that Zakat was one of the major pillars of Islam which every Muslim should hope at fulfilling.
He encourage those who have the wherewithal to always fulfil the obligation due to its blessings from Allah just as he urged those who were unable to pay Zakat to try and give out Sodaqah which is alms giving to the poor and the less privileged.
Prince Olagunju urged the 35 beneficiaries to make judicious use of what they were given so as to achieve the aim of the programme which is eradication of poverty.
Also speaking, the Ekiti State Coordinator of Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation, Dr. Sulayman Luqman Adedamola rejoiced with the beneficiaries and urged them to also render assistance to needy around them.
He called on government to learn from the foundation and empower more youths and women so as to reduce the level of poverty in the society.
According to him, poverty has become a major factor encouraging criminality in the society.
In a seperate interview, the beneficiaries described the support they got as a great relief with a promise to use them wisely.
They described the Zakat foundtion as one which must be embraced by all due to its enormous support for the vulnerable persons in the society.