Introduction:
The Zakat Foundation™ Nigeria is a non-governmental organization (NGO) that is committed to improving the welfare of the less privileged and marginalized communities in Nigeria. The organization is based on the Islamic principles of Zakat, which encourages Muslims to give a percentage of their income to support the needy in society.
In this article, we will review the Zakat Foundation™ Nigeria Annual Report for the year 2018, which highlights the organization's achievements, challenges, and plans for the future.
Overview of Zakat Foundation™ Nigeria Annual Report 2018:
The Zakat Foundation™ Nigeria Annual Report for 2018 provides an overview of the organization's activities, accomplishments, and financial performance during the year. The report is divided into different sections, including a message from the Chairman, Executive Director's report, and financial statements.
Accomplishments:
The Zakat Foundation™ Nigeria achieved significant milestones in 2018, including the following:
Disaster Relief and Humanitarian Aid:
The organization provided humanitarian assistance to people affected by the Boko Haram insurgency, flood disasters, and other emergencies. The foundation distributed food, clothing, medical supplies, and shelter to the affected communities.
Education:
The Zakat Foundation™ Nigeria continued to provide scholarships to less privileged students to help them access quality education. In 2018, the foundation sponsored over 1,200 students in different levels of education, from primary to tertiary institutions.
Healthcare:
The Zakat Foundation™ Nigeria also made significant strides in improving access to healthcare services for vulnerable communities. The foundation established clinics and provided medical supplies and equipment to hospitals and health centers.
Economic Empowerment:
The Zakat Foundation™ Nigeria provided interest-free loans to small business owners and farmers to help them start or expand their businesses. The organization also provided vocational training to women and youths to equip them with relevant skills for entrepreneurship.
Challenges:
The Zakat Foundation™ Nigeria encountered some challenges in its operations in 2018, including the following:
Inadequate Funding:
The organization faced a significant funding gap, which affected its ability to implement all of its programs effectively. The foundation relied heavily on donations from individuals and organizations, and the funds were not always sufficient to meet the needs of the communities it served.
Security Challenges:
The Zakat Foundation™ Nigeria had to contend with security challenges, especially in the northeastern part of the country, where the Boko Haram insurgency was most prevalent. This made it difficult to access some of the affected communities and deliver humanitarian aid.
Limited Staff:
The Zakat Foundation™ Nigeria had a limited number of staff, which made it challenging to execute its programs efficiently. The organization had to rely on volunteers to complement its workforce, which sometimes led to delays in program implementation.
Financial Performance:
The Zakat Foundation™ Nigeria's financial performance for the year 2018 was impressive, considering the challenging operating environment. The organization recorded a total income of N1.6 billion, with a total expenditure of N1.5 billion. The foundation had a surplus of N100 million, which was carried over to the next financial year.
Conclusion:
The Zakat Foundation™ Nigeria's Annual Report for 2018 highlights the organization's achievements, challenges, and plans for the future. The organization made significant strides in improving the welfare of vulnerable communities in Nigeria, despite the funding gap, security challenges, and limited staff.
The Zakat Foundation™ Nigeria remains committed to its mission of providing humanitarian assistance, education, healthcare, and economic empowerment to less privileged communities in Nigeria. The organization's efforts are commendable, and it is hoped that it will continue to receive support from individuals, organizations, and the government to achieve its objectives.