By Rakiya A.Muhammad
Fifteen thousand families and groups benefited from the Qurbani meat distribution program, which utilised 3,000 animals valued at N1.750 billion during the recently concluded Eid-al-Adha celebration.
Malam Lawal Maidoki, Chairman of the Sokoto State Zakat and Endowment Agency (SOZEA) and the Islamic Education Trust (IET), disclosed this when he addressed journalists in Sokoto.
The distribution exercise conducted by SOZEA in partnership with IET received support from Sulaimaniya and Diversity Turkey.
“Our plan was to reach 11,000 to 15,000 directly, that we have reached, and these are families, not individuals, and groups of 10,20,50,100,” he stated.
The SOZEA Chairman, however, apologised to some intended beneficiaries who did not receive the Qurbani meat.
“We faced significant challenges, including a shortfall in animal supplies. Despite our plans to slaughter 4,500 animals, we received just over 3,000 animals, resulting in a shortfall of over 1,000 animals,” he explained.
“This, coupled with the high demand for Qurbani meat and security issues, posed difficulties in meeting the expectations of all beneficiaries.”
He said they would explore ways to improve their supply chain, enhance logistics and ensure that future events are better managed.
Maidoki expressed gratitude to the Darul Erkam Foundation, Sulaimaniyah, Diversity, and the Government of Turkey for their generous support, which enabled them to organise the Qurbani distribution.
He was appreciative of Sokoto State Governor Dr. Ahmad Aliyu’s support, noting the provision of logistics and other essentials required to conduct the Qurbani.
“We are grateful for the government’s commitment to supporting initiatives that benefit the people of Sokoto,” he said. “We also want to exonerate him and his government from any interference in the distribution of Qurbani meat, ensuring transparency and fairness in our process.”
