Sokoto State Government on Thursday doled out 2,300 bags of grains worth N2.5 million to the poor in the state.
Gov. Aliyu Wamakko said in Goronyo while inaugurating the distribution of the grains that each of the beneficiaries would also receive N5,000.
He said the gesture was aimed at alleviating their suffering.
The governor also said that the government was spending N45 million monthly on physically challenged persons across the state.
“I have also directed the state Zakat and Endowment Committee to get the census of all those physically challenged persons not currently benefiting from the monthly gesture.
“This is with the view to bringing all of them on board to benefit from the N6,500 each receives as monthly allowance, as a way of reducing begging in the society,” he said.
Wamakko added that the state government was spending N14.2 million quarterly to pay the allowances of 475 Islamic clerics in the state.
“The state government is also sponsoring the routine treatment and dialysis for all kidney patients from across the state .
“We have also concluded arrangements to construct the headquarters of the Zakat and Endowment Committee to enhance its activities,” the governor said.
Also speaking, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, commended the state government for its commitment to improving the welfare of the people.
Abubakar called for fervent prayers by the people for peace to prevail in the state and the nation.
The sultan appealed to wealthy individuals in the state to pay their Zakat contribution through the state Zakat committee, saying this would assist its philanthropic activities to the needy.
The Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Lawal Maidoki, who is also the Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Prof. Musa Maitafsir, commended the administration for giving priority to the welfare and comfort of the people. (NAN)