The Here and Hereafter Foundation has launched a new round of support for widows and orphans, sustaining its annual practice of empowering the less privileged in the society.
The disbursement ceremony held on Sunday at Alausa Secretariat Mosque, Ikeja, Lagos. The foundation disbursed the sum of N10.8 million to fund the education of orphans and empower widows for the year 2025.
According to the data released by the foundation, N9,640,000 was spent on scholarship for orphans while N1,240,000 went for empowerment.
Speaking at the event, Alhaji Abdurrazaq Asaju, Coordinator of H&H Foundation, said they have sponsored the education of over 30 students and empowered no less than 10 widows since inception in 2010 in a sustained pattern.
He said about N40 million have been committed to supporting widows and orphans by the foundation from 2010 to date.
“Alhamdulilah for this modest achievement and impact on the vulnerable and largely neglected segment of the Ummah,” the Coordinator said.
Muslim News gathered that the Here & Hereafter Foundation was established by the Here and Hereafter Investment Company Limited as its charity/philanthropy arm.
Alhaji Asaju, who is also a member of the BoT of the Foundation said they observed over time the struggles and pains families who lost their breadwinners had to face after their demise.
“One common decimal around all the victims is the way the fortune of the erstwhile bubbling family turns 180 degrees due to the loss of the breadwinner,” according to him.
The Coordinator noted that H&H Foundation set out to fill the vacuum and bring succour to the affected families, who are mostly overlooked in the society.
“The foundation tasked itself to go beyond the traditional practice of financial support. We also give care and support spiritually, materially, socially, psychologically, and strive to re-integrate the bereaved families into the society,” he stated.
H&H Foundation is led by key Muslim scholars and stakeholders as its Board of Trustees. They include: Imam AbdurRahman Ahmad, Alhaji Bade Adeshina, Prof. Tajudeen Yusuf, Ustadh Haroon Thani, Alhaji Dimeji Olona, and Barr. Nasir Salau.
Alhaji Asaju revealed in his address that three of H&H Foundation’s scholars have graduated from various institutions. They studied Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Criminology and Security Studies, and Nursing respectively.
He congratulated the graduates and charged other scholars who are still at various levels of education to focus and strive for excellence.
“With the support from H&H Foundation, you have no excuses for poor performance. Indeed, learners who fall below average would no longer enjoy our sponsorship. We are holding the funding in trust for our donors and we owe them value delivery.
“Similarly, parents should dedicate their all to their wards to ensure they do not disappoint the foundation and its financiers. Same goes to the empowered widows. You should make success of the funding you have received so that, with time, you can also become donors. May Allah prosper you all, ameen.”
Also speaking at the event, Sheikh AbdurRahman Ahmad, National Missioner of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, said poverty and insecurity are widespread in the Nigerian society currently due to disobedience of divine laws, unjust rules, and inappropriate economic system.
The Muslim scholar, who also leads the Board of Trustees of H&H Foundation, urged governments at all levels to ensure justness in the distribution of national income.
Alhaji AbdulHameed Olona, Sheikh Abdurrahman Ahmad and Alhaji Abdurrasaq Asaju
He said the economic system should not be run in a manner that chokes the poor and overprotects the rich.
“We have a system that does not ensure that there is a share for the poor in the wealth of the rich. This is why with so much money and resources, we are still suffering from hunger and insecurity. Insecurity seems to be intractable, and criminals seem to be more powerful than the government.
“We must look beyond law and order, buying more arms and ammunition in ensuring that there is peace and security. We must look at the justness of the system and the justness of the distribution of income. This is the only thing that can ensure long term security,” he said.
Sheikh Ahmad stressed further that government must provide employment opportunities for people and ensure that they are merit-based and fairly distributed. “Palliatives are just for the short time, but people’s honour and dignity must be factored into government programmes. Employment and appointments should not be based on who you know, they should be based on what you can do with the qualifications and experiences you have.”
Imam Ahmad appreciated the donors and supporters of H&H Foundation, while tasking the beneficiaries to justify the huge resources committed to them with excellent performance for students and judicious utilisation for widows.
Some of the students who benefitted from the scholarship scheme told the Muslim News that they were excited at the opportunity.
Sulaiman Salahudeen, a 300 level student of History Education at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, said H&H Foundation has helped him and his family a lot.
“When I was supposed to be thinking about how my mum would settle my school fees, the foundation is covering the responsibility. It really gladdens my heart,” he said.
Sulaiman said he is currently maintaining a CGPA that places him at upper second class, and he wishes to do better.
For her part, Balikis Salahudeen, a JSS 1 student of the Islamic Heritage School, said she’s glad to be part of the beneficiaries of the scholarship initiative.
“We have been told to be very hardworking and that we should not relent. So, I will try my best at all times,” she said.
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