Musa Na Allah, Sokoto
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Sokoto State Council, Usman Mohammed Binji, has urged journalists across Nigeria to strengthen ethical reporting and give greater attention to poverty alleviation, humanitarian services, and social welfare initiatives capable of improving the lives of vulnerable citizens.
Speaking during the NUJ Congress held in Sokoto on Saturday, Binji said journalism must evolve beyond routine news coverage to become a force for social transformation, public enlightenment, and national development.
The congress, themed “The Role of Zakat and Waqf in Poverty Alleviation and Humanitarian Service: The Responsibility of the Media,” brought together journalists, Islamic scholars, and development stakeholders to examine how Islamic social finance can address poverty and social inequality in Nigeria.
Delivering the keynote paper, the Chairman of the Sokoto Zakat and Endowment Agency (SOZEA), Malam Muhammad Lawal Maidoki, described Zakat as one of the five pillars of Islam ordained by Almighty Allah to promote social justice, wealth redistribution, and care for the less privileged in society.
Maidoki explained that Zakat collection and disbursement are guided by Islamic injunctions and are specifically targeted at categories of beneficiaries identified in the Holy Qur’an, including the poor, the needy, debtors, travellers in distress, and others entitled to support under Islamic law.
According to him, proper management of Zakat has the capacity to reduce poverty, support economic empowerment, and restore dignity to vulnerable citizens if faithfully implemented across communities.
“Zakat is not merely charity; it is a divine obligation and a structured economic system designed by Islam to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor,” Maidoki stated.
He further revealed the growing importance of Waqf (Islamic Endowment), describing it as a sustainable humanitarian instrument through which individuals dedicate properties, wealth, or assets for the benefit of society in the sight of Almighty Allah.
The SOZEA chairman explained that Waqf carries enormous spiritual rewards and long-term societal benefits because its proceeds continue to serve humanity even after the death of the donor.
“Waqf is a continuous charity with enduring rewards before Almighty Allah.
Through endowment, individuals can support education, healthcare, orphan care, water supply projects, mosques, and other humanitarian services that benefit generations,” he said.
Maidoki called on wealthy Nigerians, philanthropists, and corporate organisations to embrace the culture of endowment as a means of strengthening social welfare and complementing government efforts in addressing poverty and humanitarian challenges.
He also urged journalists to play a more active role in educating the public on the importance of Zakat and Waqf through accurate, developmental, and people oriented reporting.
In his remarks, NUJ Chairman Usman Binji said the congress served as an intellectual platform for reflection and professional reawakening, especially at a time when misinformation and unverified reports threaten public trust in the media.
“This gathering transcends the routine statutory meeting; it is an intellectual forum for reflection, professional reawakening, and constructive engagement on issues that bear directly upon our society and the indispensable responsibility of the media,” he said.
Binji stressed that journalists must remain committed to the ethics of accuracy, fairness, balance, and professionalism while promoting initiatives that encourage peace, unity, and social progress.
“In an age defined by the rapid and often unregulated flow of information, the responsibility of journalists as custodians of truth and credibility has become more demanding than ever before,” he added.
He noted that the theme of the congress was timely in view of Nigeria’s prevailing economic realities, rising poverty levels, and humanitarian concerns, adding that Islamic social finance institutions such as Zakat and Waqf remain effective mechanisms for community development and wealth redistribution.
The NUJ chairman further challenged media practitioners to deepen investigative and feature reporting on humanitarian interventions, social welfare programmes, and poverty reduction initiatives in order to encourage public participation and accountability.
Binji also commended the administration of Sokoto State Governor, Ahmad Aliyu, for supporting journalists and the NUJ in the state, particularly the governor’s approval of vehicles for the union announced during a special Iftar gathering earlier in the year.
He concluded by appreciating journalists for their commitment to professional ethics and thanked the SOZEA chairman for delivering what participants described as an insightful presentation on the religious, economic, and humanitarian significance of Zakat and Waqf in modern society.
