Governor Aminu Tambuwal says his administration was distributing food items and clothing materials worth over N397 million to 17,000 less privileged people through Sokoto’s annual Ramadan Welfare scheme.

Mr Tambuwal disclosed this at the inauguration of the distribution exercise on Tuesday in the state.

“Today, we are inaugurating the distribution of the 2022 Zakkat collected from individuals in Sokoto State, food and other utilities sponsored by the state government.

“This, we believe, will ease the pain of the beneficiaries,” he said.

Mr Tambuwal said that vulnerable persons in 23 local government areas would benefit from the programme, adding that the programme was being implemented under the state’s Zakkat and Endowment Commission.

Represented by his deputy, Zakkat and Endowment Commission, the governor said that rice, noodles, textile materials and cash would be distributed to the beneficiaries.

He said the state government would explore more areas towards easing the current economic hardship on the people.

Also speaking, Muhammad Maidoki, the commission chairman, said it had collected and distributed N8.7 billion alms to 202,498 beneficiaries since its inception in 2014.

(NAN)