Tambuwal plans to stop street begging in Sokoto

Aminu Tambuwal, the Governor of Sokoto State said the state government plans to ban street begging soon.

Tambuwal disclosed this in Sokoto on Wednesday, when he inaugurated the distribution of Zakkat and Endowment to the needy under the aegis of the State Zakkat and Endowment Committee.

He said:” All the physically-challenged across the state who are currently enjoying the monthly gesture of N 6,500, per person,will continue to enjoy it.

” All those who are not benefitting from the gesture will be registered and brought on board immediately.

” Afterward, the state government will collaborate with the various Islamic clerics and brainstorm on the permissibility of street begging or otherwise.”

Tambuwal further averred that, the act of street begging is against the tenets of Islam.

The governor added that, street begging denigrates the individual, as well as soil the image and integrity of Islam.

Tambuwal said:” The state government will remain committed to improving the lives of the people, in spite of the current financial difficulties.

” Sokoto state government will do everything humanly possible to ensure probity,accountability and good governance.

” We will also not condone any acts of laxity and nepotism by any government official in the process of discharging his or her duties.”

Tambuwal commended the officials of the Zakkat and Endowment Committee for being diligent in its activities.

The Sultan of Sokoto,Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, represented by the District Head of Hamma’ali, Alhaji Bello Abubakar, urged wealthy individuals to assist the less privileged in the society.

Abubakar also commended the state government for sustaining the funding of the committee.

The Religious Affairs and Environment Commissioners, Alhaji Mani Katami and Alhaji Bello Sifawa, respectively, urged the beneficiaries to use the gestures wisely.

The Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Lawal Maidoki, promised to continue to be diligent in the discharge of its activities.

NAN reports that, the Zakkat and Endowment disbursed include N 76.5million , being the monthly gestures in aid of the needy persons.

The money is for the free distribution of drugs to indigent patients, as well as the payment of N 6,500, monthly to nearly 7000 physically-challenged persons, among others.

Other items disbursed include 120 bags of rice and millet each, and N1. 29 million collected from some individuals as endowment.

Fifteen, 50-kgs bags of paddy rice produce in Tambuwal’s farm at Goronyo town were also distributed.