The D-8 Zakat Fund, an initiative of eight developing countries: Egypt, Iran, Bangladesh, Turkey, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan and Nigeria, has appointed former Chief Executive Officer of Media Trust Limited, publisher of Daily Trust in Abuja, Nigeria, Alhaji Isiaq Ajibola as a Board of Trustee member of its health and social security protection initiative known as Ummah Zakat Fund( UZF).
Alhaji Ajibola, who is also an Islamic enthusiast, has been a member of the fund’s Steering Committee since its launch in Nigeria.
The programme, coordinated by the Global Director of the D-8 Health and Social Protection Programme (D-8 HSP), Dr. Ado Muhammad, is aimed at pooling about N200 billion to lift at least six million Nigerian out of poverty annually.
The fund has brought together, stakeholders from Islamic bodies, development partners, the private sector, banking institutions and governments.
It will utilise a seamless connection between the Zakat donors and beneficiaries using an application on the digital platform.
Ajibola, who is a co-founder is an ardent member of NASFAT, one of the leading Islamic societies in Nigeria, where he is currently the Chairman of the Advisory Council of NASFAT Agency for Zakat and Sadaqat at the FCT Zone.
He is also the chairman of the board of directors of the society’s communication arm-Lasilkiin Communications Ltd and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Daily Trust Foundation.
The Board of Trustees of UZF is Chaired by Alhaji Samaila Muhammad Mera, Emir of Argungu. Other members of the board are Dr. Ibrahim Muhammad Jalo; Umar Mustapha; Dr. Nihinlola T. Mabogunje; Mrs. Umma Ayuba Musa and Jubril Abdullah Salaudeen.
