International Islamic Relief Organization gives financial assistance to Kebbi orphans
The International Islamic Relief Organization, IIRO of Saudi Arabia has begun the disbursement of cash assistance to orphans in Kebbi state.
A total sum of One Hundred and Thirty One Million Naira will be shared among one thousand, nine hundred and sixty orphans already registered by the organization in the state.
Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu flagged-off the disbursement exercise at the Presidential Lodge, Birnin Kebbi this Friday.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Babale Umar Yauri, the governor commended Saudi Arabian authorities for such magnitude of benevolence to the less privileged in Kebbi state, Nigeria and other parts of the world.
Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu made it clear that since assumption of power, his administration has attached utmost importance to the plight of orphans and the less privileged by providing them with basic necessities of life.
According to a press release signed by Abubakar Mu’azu Dakingari, the Chief Press Secretary to the State governor, the Department of Religious Affairs of the state were mandated by the governor to embark on registration exercise of other orphans who have not been registered to receive assistance from IIRO to enjoy similar gesture from the government.
Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu urged wealthy individuals to follow in the footsteps of the IIRO, and commended the Emirs of Gwandu, Argungu, Yauri and Zuru for mobilizing their subjects to assist orphans in their domains.
On the occasion, the governor was presented with a Special Qur’an and the English translation of the Qur’anic Tafsir, Raddul Azhan Ila Ma’anil Qur’an, authored by late Sheikh Abubakar Mahmud Gumi.
Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu called for fervent prayers among the people of Nigeria towards surmounting present security challenges which has led to emergence of large number of orphans in the society.
In a welcome address, the Secretary to the State Government represented by the acting Head of Service, Alhaji Safiyanu Garba Bena, expressed immense appreciation on behalf of Kebbi state government to the International Islamic Relief Organization and the Saudi Arabian government for such kind gesture to orphans in the state over the years.
In a remark, the Coordinator IIRO Office, Kaduna, Dr. Tahir Baba Ibrahim thanked Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and Kebbi state government for their support to the organization in the discharge of its functions.
He explained that following changes at the headquarters of the organization in Jeddah, each orphan would receive a cheque of six months allowance unlike in the past when two to three years allowances were given to them enblock.
Dr. Tahir announced that under the current dispensation, a total of one thousand, nine hundred and sixty orphans have been registered to enjoy the cash palliative in Kebbi state.
In vote of thanks, the Director Religious Affairs, Cabinet Office, Alhaji Abubakar Augie, was highly glad about the benevolence of the organization to orphans in the state.
He recalled that the IIRO disbursed seven hundred million naira to two thousand and thirty seven orphans in 2019, while eight hundred and twenty five million naira was disbursed to two thousand, four hundred and twenty seven orphans in 2020.
This year, 2022, one hundred and thirty-one million naira is being shared among one thousand, nine hundred and sixty orphans in the state.
The new Coordinator of the IIRO for Kebbi state, Mallam Imam Adam Abdullahi Danko, solicited the support of the state government in carrying out the functions of the organization.