THE CHAIRMAN of Sokoto State Zakat and Endowment Agency (SOZEA), Malam Lawal Maidoki, says Nigeria has no reason to remain poor, given its abundant natural resources, fertile land and human potential.
Maidoki stated this on Thursday in Sokoto at the closing ceremony of a four-day training and capacity-building workshop on the Zero Out-of-School Children Model.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training focuses on the Alnizamo Model adapted from Indonesia’s Pondok Model for Islamic boarding schools.
The chairman said the country needed to harness its resources efficiently and distribute its wealth equitably to address poverty.
“Nigerians have no business being poor. This is sequel to the abundant natural endowments, human and natural resources, vast fertile land and uncountable blessings bestowed on Nigeria.
“It is about harnessing them efficiently and utilising them equitably and prudently.
“The institution of Zakat and Endowment must also be allowed to work efficaciously so that affluence can go round and the rich can help the less privileged,” he said.
Maidoki, the lead driver of the Alnizamo Model in Nigeria, recalled that his partnership with the Indonesian educationist began after a visit to Bogor, Indonesia.
He said the Pondok Model had helped ensure that children receiving Qur’anic education were not left on the streets begging, as they were treated as guests and provided with care, love and empowerment.
The chairman disclosed that the Yobe Government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Yayasan Ashiriyyah Nurul Iman Islamic Boarding School in Bogor, Indonesia, to establish a similar institution.
According to him, the state is recruiting five Indonesian staff members to support the implementation of the model.
Maidoki added that several requests had been received from other parts of the country, including Kano, for the model to be replicated.
He described the school’s founder, Dr Umi Waheedah Bint Abdulrahman, as instrumental in promoting initiatives to address out-of-school children in Nigeria, including inspiring the establishment of a national commission dedicated to the issue.
The chairman explained that the model prioritises orphans, abandoned children and those from extremely poor families, providing them with education and support without charging those unable to afford the fees.
According to him, the model combines Qur’anic education with vocational skills and entrepreneurship to promote self-reliance.
Speaking at the event, Dr Umi Waheedah, the international resource person and Chief Executive Officer of the Indonesian school, said Islamic leadership required sacrifice, responsibility and sustainability.
“If you are chosen by Allah to become an Islamic leader, you have to be responsible for the Islamic education of all Muslim children,” she said.
Umi described Islamic education as a comprehensive system that combines knowledge, emotional and social intelligence, and spirituality.
She said it also promoted wealth creation through business as a means of tackling poverty.
The scholar advised proprietors of Almajiri and Islamic schools not to rely solely on Zakat and charitable donations but to establish businesses to sustain their institutions.
“Everywhere I travel, I always say business fights poverty. If you want to have an educational institution or an institution for social or community development, you must have a business,” she advocated.
Umi also urged Islamic school leaders to seek Allah’s guidance through Tahajjud and prayers when confronted with challenges rather than depending solely on individuals.
She expressed satisfaction with the capacity-building programme and willingness to return to Nigeria to engage with Almajiri school leaders across the country.
The chief executive officer commended stakeholders in Sokoto for their commitment and urged them to take pride in Almajiri and Islamic education. (NAN)
