Zakat & Waqf Foundation Expands Efforts to Tackle Poverty in Gombe

By Abubakar Rabilu Gombe

The Zakat & Waqf Foundation in Gombe has intensified its programmes to reduce poverty and empower vulnerable members of society. During a recent foundation event, Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Abubakar Lamido urged individuals and organisations to support initiatives that promote self-reliance and economic development.

Dr. Lamido explained that the foundation, established on Islamic principles of Zakat, Sadaqah, and Waqf, aims not only to provide charity but also to help beneficiaries become self-sufficient contributors to society.

He said the idea of the foundation emerged in 2017 during discussions among scholars and professionals on organising Zakat for sustainable poverty alleviation. The organisation was formally launched in 2019 after registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

Since its inception, the foundation has implemented a variety of programmes, including women’s economic empowerment, youth development, scholarships for disadvantaged students, and welfare support for orphans. 

The Women’s Economic Empowerment Programme, one of the foundation’s flagship initiatives, provides vocational training and start-up support, with the ninth cohort of participants set to graduate alongside new entrants.

The foundation also runs youth development initiatives focused on entrepreneurship training and mentorship. Dr. Lamido highlighted success stories of beneficiaries who have started businesses even while still in school.

In addition, the foundation distributes food and financial aid to vulnerable households during Ramadan and organises community Iftar events for orphans and hospital patients. Volunteers recently began delivering Iftar meals to hospitals across Gombe to ease the challenges faced by patients and caregivers during fasting.

Dr. Lamido called on members of the public whose wealth meets the Islamic threshold for Zakat to channel contributions through structured systems to ensure effective distribution and lasting impact.

“Our goal is to reduce poverty and build a society where more people are empowered to stand on their own,” he said.