By Ado Hassan, Sokoto
NOT less than N751 million has been earmarked for the ongoing ramadan fast and forthcoming Eid-el-Fitr packages to orphans and other needy persons by the Sokoto state government, Alhaji Mani Maishinko Katami, Commissioner for Religious Affairs has said.
Katami who disclosed to reporters in Sokoto while commending Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal for according priority to the welfare of orphans and the less priclege persons in the state explained that the packages were aimed at assisting the beneficiaries to fast and celebrate the forthcoming sallah with relative ease.
He said the packages were categorised into three with the first N 300 million earmarked for the operations of the Ramadan 311 Ramadan feeding centres across Sokoto metropolis.
He said:” Out of the number, 110 are major centres which have been provided with food items, oranges and other condiments, to prepare food for the needy to break their fasts.
” These major centres have been provided with cooks, security attaches, surveillance teams, operators and a supervisor, among others.
” We have also created a centre dedicated for diabetics at the Specialist Hospital, Sokoto, to enable them break their fast according to Doctors’ directives.”
Katami further said 201 other centres were each given assistance of between N 100,000 to N 500,000, for some professional groups and organizations.
He also stated that the first category has a 28-member management committee overseeing the operations of all the centres.
In the second category, he stated that N 235 million was earmarked for the procurement of 12,500 bags of assorted grains, including rice, millet, maize and guinea corn.
” These will be distributed to district and village heads, their secretaries, Imams of Friday prayer Mosques, orphans, clerics and Islamic organizations, among others.
However, the third category with N216 million according to the Commissioner was earmarked for the State Zakkat and Endowment Commission to purchase food items and clothing materials, to donate to 18,200 orphans and
other needy persons.
” All these gestures are aimed at further alleviating the suffering of the beneficiaries, as well as make them have a sense of belonging during the forthcoming Sallah festivities.
” The ministry has taken stern measures to ensure that only the targeted persons benefit from the gesture,” he added.
