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Government Asked To Provide Legal Framework for Collection of Zakat

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Government Asked To Provide Legal Framework for Collection of Zakat

Government Asked To Provide Legal Framework for Collection of Zakat

… As Groups Insist Zakat Can Reposition Nigeria’s Economy

By: Michael Mike

Legal framework has been asked to be provided for the collection of Zakat, a form of almsgiving ordered in the Quran to be collected by Muslim Ummah.

Zakat by Quranic ranking, is next after prayer in importance in the list of the five pillars of Islam.

Speaking at a workshop in Abuja on Maximizing the Power of Zakat to Support Families Forced to Flee in Nigeria organised by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Chairman of Association of Zakat and Wagf Operators in Nigeria (AZAWON), Alhaji Muhammad Maidoki said just like Sukuk which has redefined the story of infrastructure development in Nigeria, Zakat has the potential to reposition the country’s economy.

Maidoki said the nation is in perilous times economically and need all strategies to get on, noting that with a legal framework for Zakat, billions of Naira could be collected annually that would be used to provide for developmental needs of the nation.

He added that the collection can be used to put welfare in place for the very poor in the society, including orphans, widows, widowers and aged.

He lamented that because there is no legal framework for the collection of Zakat presently in place in the country, almsgiving is discretional and many rich Muslims that should have paid evade it leaving meagre sum being collected and not enough to make appreciable impact on the country.

Maidoki, who spoke to journalists at the workshop which brought over 40 members of AZAWON across states in Nigeria, said: “With the legal framework, the rich Muslims would be compel to pay and this in turn would bring many Nigerians out of poverty.”

He noted that the legal framework should be instituted at both the federal and state levels, insisting that there should also be a centralized framework for Zakat collection and distribution.

In her welcome address, the UNHCR Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Chansa Kapaya said the meeting presents an opportunity to create more room for financing projects for the vulnerable among us.

She said: “Today’s program is organized in partnership with the Association of Zakat and Waqf Operators in Nigeria. We are incredibly pleased to be forging such strong relationships with the Association and Zakat Houses. Together, it enables us the opportunity to explore how we can channel the power of Zakat to support those most vulnerable amongst us.”

She added that: “I would like to take this opportunity to talk about the Zakat Fund’s beneficiaries in Nigeria – the internally displaced men, women, and children who have been forced to flee their homes because of violence and conflict.

Also Read: FG vows to delist 1,500 workers with fake employment…

There are an unprecedented 3.2 million internally displaced persons or IDPs in Nigeria. 3.2 million is an immense number. To put it in perspective, this number of people is almost equivalent to the metro area population of Abuja of 3.5 million people. It is a whole populated city of community members, businesspeople, entrepreneurs, parents, school children, teenagers, forcibly displaced, by no choice of their own, living without a home.”

Kapaya said: “Faith serves as a significant driver for so many of us. Faith guides our actions and values, including the core value to treat each other with kindness.  

I have seen the kindness of the Muslim community in Nigeria. I have observed this kindness and warmth in meetings with the Muslim community, business leaders, and Islamic organisations. And I have witnessed the incredible dedication to building communities and helping alleviate hardship.

“Today, this special workshop honours the intersectional space of humanitarian relief and faith-based organisations. It serves as the platform to actualize what we already know. By working together and identifying ways to maximize our efforts, we can help uplift vulnerable communities that we seek to support.”

Government Asked To Provide Legal Framework for Collection of Zakat

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Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge

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Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge

By: Zagazola Makama

The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the sudden death of an unidentified man who collapsed and died at Government House Lodge, Minna. Zagazola learnt that the incident occurred on Friday, Aug. 2, 2025.

Sources said that the deceased had visited House No. 8, Government House Lodge, in an attempt to see Mr. Sammy, Chairman of Niger Foods. However, upon meeting his host’s absence, the man suddenly took ill.

Medical doctors were reportedly contacted from the IBB Specialist Hospital, Minna, for urgent attention. Unfortunately, by the time the doctor arrived, the man had already passed away.

Following the report, a team of police operatives from GRA Division visited the scene. The body was photographed and evacuated to the IBB Specialist Hospital Mortuary for autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge

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Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027

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Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027

By Amina Ahmed Dankawuwa

The Senator representing Bauchi South at the national assembly, Senator Shehu Buba Umar has accepted the calls by the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bauchi North Senatorial District to contest for Governorship come 2027.

The Director General of the campaign for the actualisation of Sen Buba’s Gubernatorial ambition, Alhaji Muhammad Sade (Usman) accepted the calls on behalf of the Senator during a town hall meeting held on Saturday by the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bauchi North Senatorial in Azare.

He appealed to members of APC to maintain peace with all other aspirants within the party.

“Let’s respect other aspirants, such that anybody who win the primary election can have will be assisted by others, so we must value and respect each other”, he reasoned.

Muhammad Sade also called on party members to commence looking for delegates for ahead of the party primaries.

“It is now that we have to look for those that have votes. I call on our esteemed supporters to start mobilizing for delegate”, he emphasized.

He also advised social media handlers (citizens journalist) to avoid creating problems for personal gain, adding that social media some times create a lot of problem within and out side the party endorsed Senator representing Bauchi South, Senator Shehu Buba Umar for Bauchi Governor come 2027.

Baushe Daily Times reports that members of the APC gathered in thousands during the meeting in Azare during which they unanimously agreed to support Senator Shehu Buba for Governor come 2027.

Earlier in a welcoming address, former majority leader in the Bauchi state house of assembly, Hon Tijjani Mohammed Aliyu, the choice to support Sen Shehu buba Umar’s Governorship ambition was due to his concern and care he has for the people of Bauchi state.

“He respects us, he values our people politically and he also call on party members to respect each other because politics shouldn’t be considered as a do or die affair”, he said.

Also speaking, Alhaji Bashir Bukar Rimin Zayam charged the youth to cast their votes for the youth only and avoid voting older politicians who will always be going abroad for medical attention.

He therefore, appealed to members of APC to mobilised people to support Sen Shehu Buba for Governor.

Among those who attended the town hall meeting include state assembly member Azare/Madangala Hon Zakariyya sale maigero, comr sabo Mohammed S A to Sen Shehu Buba on media and communication, Hon kasuwa Shehu Damana, Hon Adamu Fanta Misau, Hon maiwada Misau,Hon Mohammed Hassan, Barr Muktar Umar, Alhaji Nura Adamu among others.

Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027

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NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy

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NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy

By: Michael Mike

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has condemned in strong terms the closure of Badeggi Radio in Niger State by the State Governor Mohammed Bago, discribing it as not only a suppression of press freedom but an affront to democracy.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission Dr Tony Ojukwu, condemned the action while reacting to the ugly incident. He said the governor’s decision to shut down the radio station without following due process is disappointing and a clear violation of the right to freedom of expression, as guaranteed by Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Ojukwu noted that the consequences of suppressing press freedom are far-reaching and can lead to increased government opacity, reduced citizen participation, creat obstacles to accountability, and weakening of democratic institutions.

He said: “The arbitrary shutdown of media outlets undermines the checks and balances essential to a functioning democracy.”

He called on Governor Bago to immediately unseal the Radio Station and allow it to resume full operations, asking him to channel issues concerning any alleged unconstitutional operations of the Radio Station to the appropriate authority and not act with impunity.

He said: “This is both a moral imperative and a democratic requirement.”

Ojukwu who is also the president of the Network of National Human Rights Institutions in West Africa ( NNHRI-WA) urged the governments to protect journalists and media freedom, foster a culture of tolerance, and support independent media. “Journalists must be able to operate without fear of harassment, intimidation, or violence,” He emphasized.

He lamented that the media has severally come under attack in various forms, a situation he termed as unacceptable in a civilized society.

He called on the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to be firm in carrying out its Statutory mandate which must not be abused at any slight opportunity.

He used the opportunity to ask media practitioners to be professional at all times in order to prevent needless censorship by political office holders.

He also called on Nigerian Guild of Editors to provide professional guidance at regular intervals as this will curb the use of hate speech, fake news and other unprofessional conducts capable of adversely affecting the media houses.

He insisted that the Commission remains committed to promoting and protecting human rights in Nigeria and would continue to monitor the situation closely.

NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy

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