Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State on Friday distributed food items and clothing materials to 12,485 indigent persons in the state.
Presenting the items at Kuchi village, Kebbe Local Government Area, Tambuwal said the gesture was aimed at assisting orphans and the needy in the society to celebrate the forthcoming Eid-el-Fitr with ease.
According to him, the state government is strongly committed to ensuring the welfare of all categories of people in the state.
“We will always strive to fulfil our campaign promises to the people of the state in spite of the current economic challenges,” he said.
Tambuwal said that the items were purchased by the state government through the state Zakkat and Endowment Committee.
The governor also announced his personal donation of 300 bags of rice to the people of Kuchi District.
Tambuwal said that each female orphan will receive a wrapper and N1,000 cash for sewing, while each male orphan will receive five yards and same amount of N1,000.
Also speaking, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, commended the state government for the gesture.
Abubakar, who was represented by the District Head of Binji, Alhaji Kabiru Usman, urged wealthy persons in the state to emulate the gesture.
However, the Sultan appealed to Nigerians to pray fervently for leaders at all levels to succeed.
The monarch also admonished Nigerians to seek for divine forgiveness as a panacea to the current myriad of challenges in the country.
The Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Alhaji Mani Katami, also commended Tambuwal for according priority to all the activities of the ministry.
“We will continue to live above board in the discharge of our duties, to further alleviate the suffering of the people in the state,” Katami promised.
The Chairman of Kebbe Local Government Council, Alhaji Lawalli Fakku, commended the governor for the gesture.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that out of the number, 9,000 orphans will be given clothing materials, while 3,485 needy persons will get food items.
NAN also reports that the two categories of beneficiaries were drawn from the 85 districts in the 23 local government areas of the state. (NAN)