The Sokoto State last year spent N600 million on the less privileged. Its Ministry for Religious Affairs in supervised the empowerment programme.
Commissioner for Religious Affairs Alhaji Mani Maishinku Katami said the government was out to alleviate the poverty of people in the 86 districts in the state.
“The Sultante Council has been helpful in reaching out to the real and eligible beneficiaries of our numerous programmes especially at the grassroots where we have been able to record successes,” he said.
According to Katami, the ministry in synergy with the Zakkat Commission also disbursed N50 million ý monthly as allowances to the indigent.
“There people in this categories from Kebbi and Zamfara states, including neighbouring Niger Republic who also benefit from our gestures.
“We have also empowered especially women and youth who are engaged in petty trading and other economic activities by boosting their capital base,” he said.
He went on: “We are liaising with the Ministry for Women Affairs and Social Development and donor agencies to domesticate a life line programme for the sustenance of our operations.
“And I also want to say that the planned mass wedding by Alhaji Umaru Kwabo A.A. is ýnot a different event from that of the state government. He is part of us and a strong APC pillar in the state. Therefore, he is promoting that course of the state and government as an individual. We want others to emulate him.
“We will redirect our strategies and aim towards bringing out the potentials in them by way of boosting their abilities through trainings on trades.”