Foundation raises N39.7m for orphans, elderly in Jigawa LGA
By: Ahmed Aminu, Dutse
An organisation, Al-Yaqeen Miga Waqf Foundation has raised over N39.7 million to support the education and health needs of orphans and the elderly in Miga local government area of Jigawa state.
The money was raised at an appeal fund launching in Miga, with the chief launcher, Alhaji Sa’idu Ismaila Koya donating N15 million on behalf of himself and his parents.
Others who donated were the Speaker of Jigawa State House of Assembly, Haruna Aliyu Dangyatin, N5 million; Miga local government council, N2 million; and the council chairman, N500,000, among others.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of the foundation and District Head of Miga, Alhaji Muhammad Garba, said the organisation was initiated by Dutse Emirate Council with the support of Lafiya Project, funded by Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
He said the foundation will intervene on issues of concern affecting the well-being the vulnerable people in Miga local government area.
Garba explained that the foundation will operate based on Islamic endowment principles, funded through donations, with the proceeds going into humanitarian causes.
“Our goal is to create a lasting positive impact on the lives of the less privileged population in Miga local government area.
“The funds realised and the ones to be generated would be divided into two. Sixty percent of the amount generated will be invested while 40 percent will be channeled to support vulnerable people for sustainability.
“This initiative will focus on supporting vulnerable groups including orphans, the elderly, widows and other underserved members of the community, with the ultimate aim of building sustainable financial independence,” the chairman added.
He said the idea started from the annual Zakat collection by the emirate council under the late Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Nuhu Sunusi.
The district head expressed gratitude to the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office for its laudable support and technical assistance.
Speaking on behalf Lafiya Programme, Dr Hassana Hussaini Adamu, said they have been promoting health services, education, philanthropy and investment in 138 local government areas in five states.
Dr Hassana, who is the FCDO technical leader in the country, explained that under the three key areas supported by FCDO, they have established and supported accessible healthcare initiatives for the vulnerable, and implented ethical health financing strategies to ensure financial sustainability and inclusiveness.
She said that the foundation would be supported to provide scholarship, educational resources and infrastructure to support quality education for orphans and underprivileged children, promote vocational and skills-base training for financial independence within the community.
“Also to mobilise donations and invest funds to generate sustainable profits for community development and ensure transparency and accountability in the utilisation of funds to maximise impact”.
She therefore called on wealthy individuals and the general public to contribute in uplifting, supporting and improving the lives of the vulnerable, in line with the teachings of Islam.
On his part, the Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Muhammad Hameem Nuhu commended the FCDO for their support and assistance to humanitarian causes in the emirate, and urged people of the state to donate to the foundation.
“I’m advising you all, especially the wage earners to dedicate some amount of your monthly salary no matter how little it is, it will improve someone’s life, and you will benefit from your action at a time you are in dire need.”
