Maryam Endowment fund

SHORT BIOGRAPHY [PROFILE] ON ALHAJI SANI ZANGON DAURA, DAN MASANIN DAURA, CON, CHAIRMAN, MARYAM ENDOWMENT FUND
BY
Maikano Bashir Yola EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION: Alhaji Sani Zangon Daura, CON, Dan Masanin Daura, was born in 1938 in a traditional Hausa/Fulani social set up in Zangon Daura Town, the Headquarters of the present Zangon Daura Local Government of Daura Emirate in Katsina State. As was and still is typical in all Muslim settlements in Northern Nigeria, Sani Zangon Daura was first sent to a Qur’anic School during his formative years. In 1944 when he attained an acceptable age that he could be exposed to the western education, his parents enrolled him into the then Zangon Daura Elementary School where he finished his elementary education in 1948. After passing his elementary examinations, he was sent to Katsina Middle School in the defunct Katsina Province where he studied from 1948 to 1952. In 1953 he went to the School for Arabic Studies in Kano where he studied up to 1957. At the end of his study in the School for Arabic Studies in 1957, he came back to Daura and taught briefly in Daura Central Primary School and from there he was later deployed to Daura Senior Primary School where he taught under the late Mallam Dauda Daura who was the Headmaster then, up to 1958.
Towards the end of 1958, Sani Zangon Daura was transferred from Daura to Dutsinma Senior Primary School in the old Katsina Emirate where he met his old classmate in Katsina Middle School, Mallam Aliyu Balarabe Saulawa teaching. He taught there, under the headship of late Mallam Labo Mahuta, up to 1959. One incidence which Sani Zangon Daura, CON, recalls with reminiscence during his teaching career at Dautsinma was the visit of His Highness, the late Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Usman Nagogo to the School. The late Emir entered his class while he was teaching his pupils and was highly impressed with the way and manner he was conducting the class. Before he left the class, the Emir made a comment which remains indelible in his mind and that comment was: “This teacher should not be promoted to a Director or anything else that would take him away from teaching profession, but should be fully compensated so that he could remain in his chosen career”. From that day, Sani Zangon Daura remained one of the late Emir’s favorite sons, until his death. May Allah (SWT) grant him Jannatil-Firdaus.
Later in 1959, Sani Zangon Daura, CON, was transferred to his Alma Mater, the School for Arabic Studies, Kano to teach. While he was teaching there, he seized the opportunity to read for his ‘O’ and ‘A’ (Ordinary and Advanced) levels. Curiously, before the results of his examinations were out, he applied for the Northern Regional Government Scholarship and was earmarked to go to Bakhtarudah in Sudan. When the results were out, he passed Hausa and Arabic Languages at ‘A’ levels and Islamic History at ‘O’ level. Not long after, the result of Sani Zangon Daura’s interview with the Scholarship Board came out and was awarded a Scholarship to go to the Sudan. However, Sani Zangon Daura was very reluctant to go to Sudan. Luckily enough, as he was contemplating on what to do, he heard that the then Minister of Education, Northern Nigeria, the late Alhaji Isa Kaita, Wazirin Katsina was in Kano on an official tour and had lodged in the Central Hotel. With an impulse, young Sani went straight to the Minister in his hotel room. He never knew him nor had the Minister known him either. He greeted him and explained his mission to him which was specifically to get the Minister’s assistance to get his course changed from Sudan to the School for Oriental Studies, University of London, United Kingdom. Remarkably, the Minister did not show any hesitation. He asked Sani to give him his particulars and, within a fortnight, approval was granted to him to proceed to London. Consequently, he got admission into the University Tutorial College, Russell Square in London, United Kingdom where he studied for his GCE Ordinary and Advanced levels from 1961 to 1963. After obtaining the minimum requirements, he applied and got an admission into the School of Oriental and African Studies in the London University. He started his studies but after a short stay he, on his own volition, felt that it was better for him to come back home and continue with his academic pursuit in one of the indigenous Universities. As a result of that decision, Sani Zangon Daura, CON, Dan Masanin Daura, came back to Nigeria where he successfully got admission into the University of Lagos in 1963. He completed his tertiary education in 1966 there where he graduated with a B.Sc. 3rd Class Honours in Business Administration on 24th June, 1966.
WORKING EXPERIENCE: After graduation from the University of Lagos in June, 1966, he came back to Kaduna, the then Northern Nigeria’s Headquarters. Just two days of his arrival, he was employed by the defunct Northern Nigerian Public Service Commission as an Administrative Officer, Class IV on 26th June, 1966 and was posted to the Ministry of Education. After staying for a few months in the Ministry, he was posted to the then Ilorin Province (now Kwara State) and from there he was deployed to Borgu Division as an Assistant District Officer (A.D.O.) where he assisted a fine gentleman, the late Alhaji Sulyman Abbo Jimeta under whose exemplary tutelage he served as Assistant District Officer from 1967 to 1968

On the creation of States by the Military Administration of General Yakubu Gowon, GCFR, in 1967, Dan Masanin Daura was appointed a Commissioner in 1968 by His Excellency, Brigadier Abba Kyari, the first Military Governor of the defunct North-Central State. He was posted to the Information Division in the Military Governor’s Office which was later transformed into a full pledged Ministry for Information, Adult Education, Public Enlightenment. In 1972 he was diployed to the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare as its Commissioner and was there up to 1975 when the Gowon Administration was toppled in another military coup by the late Brigadier Murtala Muhammad.
In 1976, Sani Zangon Daura, Dan Masanin Daura, CON, was appointed Daura Local Government Authority Care-taker Chairman up to 1977 and, preparatory to the lifting of restriction on political activities in 1978, he was elected to go to the Constituent Assembly where he, along with other nominated members, reviewed the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that produced the 1979 Constitution. During another Military interregnum of late General Sani Abacha, GCFR, Dan Masanin Daura was elected as a Delegate to the Constitutional Conference from 1994 to 1995.
When the civilian government of General Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR was elected in 1999 under the People’s Democratic Party, Sani Zangon Daura, was appointed the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. He was there up to 2001 before he was transferred to the Federal Ministry of Environment as its Honourable Minister. He later left the Cabinet in 2002 as a result of a certain disagreement with his Boss. During his tenure in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture he took the development of agriculture in Nigeria to a greater height, particularly by strengthening the Forestry Management, Evaluation and Coordinating Unit (FORMECU), a Unit that was purposely set up to ensure good management of the Nigerian forest and its resources. Equally, he facilitated the creation of the Project Coordinating Unit (PCU) in conjunction with a renowned Agronomist, Administrator, Politician, Academician, a one time Vice Chancellor of the Ahmadu Bello University and one time National Presidential Adviser on Food Security, Professor Ango Abdullahi assisted by a seasoned technocrat, Dr. Salisu Ingawa who was its first Director. The Unit was set up in order to monitor and ensure probity, accountability and smooth service delivery of all agricultural projects, nation-wide, geared towards the development of general agriculture in Nigeria. Still as the Minister of Agriculture, Sani Zangon Daura led high-powered Federal Government’s delegations, on many occasions, to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in Rome, Italy to deliberate on the Organization’s policies which are targeted at eradicating hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition in the world.
Likewise, as the Minister of Environment he led a high-powered Federal Government’s Team of Environmental Scientists and other Experts to couples of the Sessions of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) with the aim of facilitating Nigeria to be part of the countries to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. Kyoto Protocol is an International Treaty that commits State Parties to fight greenhouse gas emissions/concentrations in the atmosphere in order to reduce global warming which may have dangerous repercussions on the existence of life on Earth. The Treaty was later to become legally binding in early 2005, after being ratified by over 192 countries. Sani Zangon Daura did not leave the Ministry of Environment until he ensured the creation of Agencies like the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) which is responsible for checking oil spill, its containment, recovery and remediation, a phenomenon more particular in the restive Niger Delta region and the setting up of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) which was charged with the responsibility for the enforcement of all environmental laws, policies, standards and guidelines in Nigeria.
CHAIRMANSHIP AND DIRECTORSHIP IN VARIOUS COMPANIES: Sani Zangon Daura, CON, Dan Masanin Daura was, at various times, from 1994 to 1999, Chairman or Director in the following Companies:-

Impresit Bakolari Nigeria Limited

National Institute of Water Resources, Kaduna

Taylor Woodrow Nigeria Limited

Crema-Italo Construction Company

Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi

Balm Holding Company Limited, Kaduna

United Life Insurance Company, Lagos

National Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Ibadan

John Laing Company Limited

Nortex Nigeria Limited

Kaduna Furniture and Carpet Company Limited (KFCC)

Kaduna Aluminium Limited (K.A.L.)

Rigidpack, Zaria

Technoplastic Nigeria Limited

Worldwide Garments Company Limited, Kaduna

Kaduna Machine Works Limited

United Bawo Construction Company Limited

Tubali Nagari Nigeria Limited

Funtua Textiles

Lodigiani Nigeria Limited

Nisico, Kano

Chairman of Maryam Endowment Fund (formerly Maryam Educational Trust Fund) since 1982.

ATIONAL HONOURS: Sani Zangon Daura, Dan Masanin Daura, CON, was honoured for his meritorious services to the nation with the prestigious National Honour of C.O.N. (Commander of the Order of the Niger by the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the late Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar Adua in 2007.
HISTORY OF POLITICAL ACTIVISM: Sani Zangon Daura, Dan Masanin Daura, CON, started his political activism in the early 1953 when he was at the School for Arabic Studies in Kano. During that time the dominant political parties in the North were the Northern People’s Congress (NPC) and the Northern Elements People Unity (NEPU). The former party was led by the legendary and indefatigable late Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto while the latter was led by the irrepressible and paragon of “Talakawa” emancipation, the late Aminu Kano.
Admittedly, as an undergraduate at the Lagos University he, along with other Northern students, had to identify themselves with NPC due to the hostility of their colleagues from the South. They had to form “All Universities NPC Students” with strong links with other NPC campus formations in the North. As pressure groups, they actively supported the NPC. Quite expectedly of any exuberant youth with intrepid behavioral tendency, Sani Zangon Daura’s distinguishing characteristics were more radical than conservative. His support and sympathy were therefore incontrovertibly inclined towards NEPU than NPC. Dan Masani’s soft spot with NEPU was however never a betrayal of or departure from the NPC’s policies but certainly as a result of his instinctive urge to identify himself with the plight of the less privileged since childhood. Such a characteristic is only found with people with empathy and public-spirited dispositions. As small as they were in number at the University, Sani Zangon Daura’s group constituted itself ‘a formidable and intimidating political pressure group’ that had to be reckoned with in the University circles. The group was once able to counteract and suppress a highly organized Ibo revolt that was purposely staged to stop the appointment of late Dr. Saburi Biobaku, a Yoruba, as the new Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), in support of the renewal of the appointment of their fellow Ibo ethnic brother, late Professor Njoku.

THE MEANING OF WAQAF (ENDOWMENT) IN ISLAM

A waqf is a charitable endowment where a person dedicates specific assets, such as property, money, or other resources, for religious, charitable, or community purposes. Once a waqf is established, the dedicated assets are considered perpetually devoted to the specified cause, and the income generated from those assets is used to support the intended charitable or religious activities. Waqf can include the endowment of mosques, schools, hospitals, libraries, and other facilities or services that benefit the community.

The goal is to promote social welfare, education, and religious practices. The concept of waqf has historical significance in Islamic civilization, playing a crucial role in supporting various institutions and initiatives.

Once assets are endowed as waqf, they are considered separate from the individual's personal estate and are not subject to the normal rules of inheritance. The purpose of endowments is to provide perpetual benefits to the community rather than being divided among heirs.

In Islam, establishing an endowment (waqf) is considered a virtuous and rewarding act that can yield benefits in the Hereafter. The benefits are rooted in the concept of ongoing charity (sadaqah jariyah) and the positive impact the endowment has on the community. Here are some benefits in the Hereafter associated with creating a waqf:

Ongoing Charity (Sadaqah Jariyah): One of the primary benefits is the concept of ongoing charity. When a person establishes a waqf for a charitable or religious purpose, the rewards for the continuous positive impact of that endowment continue even after the individual's death. This can include benefits like supporting education, healthcare, or other community services.

Serving the Community: By contributing to the welfare of the community through a waqf, an individual can earn rewards for the positive impact their endowment has on the lives of others. This can include building mosques, schools, hospitals, or other facilities that serve the needs of the community.

Fulfilling Religious Duties: If the endowment is dedicated to religious activities, such as supporting a mosque or an Islamic educational institution, the person establishing the waqf will receive rewards for contributing to the spread of knowledge and the practice of Islam.

Serving Future Generations: Since waqf assets are meant to be preserved and used for specific purposes, the benefits continue to reach future generations. This long-term impact can result in ongoing rewards for the individual who established the endowment.

The management of a waqf involves overseeing the assets, making decisions about their use, and ensuring that the endowment continues to fulfill its designated purpose. Here are some key aspects related to the management of waqf:

Trusteeship: Waqf properties are typically managed by trustees (mutawalli), who are responsible for safeguarding the assets and ensuring their proper utilization. Trustees play a vital role in managing the endowment in accordance with the donor's stipulations and Islamic principles.

Stewardship: The management of a waqf involves responsible stewardship of the dedicated assets. This includes maintaining and preserving the properties, investing funds prudently (if applicable), and using the income generated to fulfill the intended charitable or religious purposes.

Compliance with Sharia: The management of a waqf must adhere to Islamic principles and Sharia guidelines. This ensures that the utilization of funds and assets is in line with Islamic values and legal requirements.

Transparency and Accountability: Transparency in the management of waqf assets is essential. Trustees should keep clear records, provide regular updates to beneficiaries or the community, and ensure accountability in the use of funds.

Adaptability: In some cases, the needs of the community or the circumstances surrounding the waqf may change over time. The management should have the flexibility to adapt the use of the assets while staying true to the overall purpose and objectives of the endowment.

Legal Compliance: Waqf management must comply with local laws and regulations governing charitable institutions. This may include registration requirements, reporting obligations, and other legal considerations.

Alteration of Waqf:Alteration of waqf assets is generally not permissible under Islamic law, as the founder's original intention and the perpetual nature of waqf must be upheld. However, in certain circumstances, alterations may be allowed if they align with the overarching purpose of the waqf and do not compromise its charitable objectives.

Judicial Process:Any decision to alter a waqf typically requires legal proceedings and the involvement of competent Islamic authorities to ensure that the intended charitable objectives are upheld and that the interests of the beneficiaries are protected.

The effective and ethical management of waqf assets ensures that the endowment continues to benefit the community and that the donor's intentions are honored. It requires a combination of Islamic knowledge, financial acumen, and a commitment to fulfilling the charitable objectives of the waqf.

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ABOUT THE FOUNDER

EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION: Alhaji Sani Zangon Daura, CON, Dan Masanin Daura, was born in 1938 in a traditional Hausa/Fulani social set up in Zangon Daura Town, the Headquarters of the present Zangon Daura Local Government of Daura Emirate in Katsina State. As was and still is typical in all Muslim settlements in Northern Nigeria, Sani Zangon Daura was first sent to a Qur’anic School during his formative years. In 1944 when he attained an acceptable age that he could be exposed to the western education, his parents enrolled him into the then Zangon Daura Elementary School where he finished his elementary education in 1948.. Read More..

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MEANING OF WAQAF (Endowment)

A waqf is a charitable endowment where a person dedicates specific assets, such as property, money, or other resources, for religious, charitable, or community purposes. Once a waqf is established, the dedicated assets are considered perpetually devoted to the specified cause, and the income generated from those assets is used to support the intended charitable or religious activities. Waqf can include the endowment of mosques, schools, hospitals, libraries, and other facilities or services that benefit the community. The goal is to promote social welfare, education, and religious practices. The concept of waqf has historical significance in Islamic civilization, playing a crucial role in supporting various institutions and initiatives.

Maryam Endowment Fund undertook the cataract surgeries in collaboration with a renowned eye specialist hospital based in kano, namely GOLDEN VISION EYE AND ENT SPECIALIST HOSPITAL, KANO. The Fund contracted the eye specialist at a total cost of 26,110,000.000. each of the twelve Local Governments sent one hundred (100) persons for the operations. A total number of 916 persons from Daura Senatorial Zone, comprising of the entire twelve Local Governments were diagnosed, found to be affected by the eye cataract diseases and successfully operated upon. There were already 10 persons in kano who were treated earlier in the Medical Teams main Hospital in Kano. With that number the total persons so far treated by Maryam Endowment Fund came to a total number of 926 persons. The total number of over 1,019 persons who were given first-aid treatment or......... Read More..

M.E.F SOURCE OF FUND

The Fund is not affiliated to any organization in or outside Nigeria. All its charitable activities are self-financed from the annual rents accrued from these landed properties. The Fund’s sources of income are Funds generated from rents collected on its properties in Abuja, Kano and Kaduna as well as donations. This latter source is yet to be tapped. It is my prayer that this Fund shall be a Perpetual Succession as such it will continue to serve the purposes for which it was set up till the last day insha Allah. May Allah (S.W.T) in His infinite Mercy continue to bless and protect this Fund, Amin .

CONFERMENT WITH HONORARY DOCTOR OF LETTERS (D. Litt.) HONORIS CAUSA ON THE FOUNDER OF MARYAM ENDOWMENT FUND, DR. SANI ZANGON DAURA, CON, DAN MASANIN DAURA

With every gratitude to the Almighty Allah, the Founder of Maryam Endowment Fund (Waqaf), Alhaji (Dr.) Sani Zangon Daura, CON, Dan Masanin Daura was again honoured with an Honorary Doctor of Letters (D. Litt.) Honoris Causa after similar honour was conferred on him in 2019 by the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State. This time around the conferment was made on him by yet another prestigious private University in our dear country, NIGERIA, the Al-Qalam University Katsina, The event took place at the University’s Sports Complex in Katsina, Katsina State during its Second Combined Convocation Ceremony held on Friday 24th September, 2023.

Alhaji (Dr.) Sani Zangon Daura, CON, Dan Masanin Daura who is the Founder of the 42-year-old Maryam Endowment Fund (Waqaf) is, incidentally, the current Pro-Chancellor of the Al-Qalam University Katsina. He was one of the four important dignitaries in Nigeria that were conferred with
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AIMS AND OBJECTIVE

Maryam Endowment Fund

To build, train, maintain and support, financially or otherwise, educational and vocational institutions
For persons who are impeded by their social and cultural circumstances to achieve their innate potential;
To rehabilitate and fund Islamic schools and Mosques for the less privileged in the society and pay the salaries of the Imams and school teachers and workers where necessary.
To build, maintain and run hospitals and offer support to health related Institutions.
To offer support to widows and the disabled in the society.
To offer assistance to victims of natural disasters, accident victims and stranded travelers.
To sponsor identified, Intelligent Islamic and secular students who have shown strong capability and ability in doing professional courses/disciplines e.g. Medicine, Engineering, Accountancy. Quantity Survey, Architecture, and other related professions including Computer Sciences.
To offer assistance to Muslims who are displaced by crises and refuge Muslims.
To rehabilitate and offer assistance towards maintenance of Muslim graveyards.
To assist victims of Robbery and deprivation by circumstances of the society.
To maintain and take care of my widows after my demise.
To assist in paying part or whole any medical bills for complicated cases particularly of the poor. Other similar areas needing such help can be expanded due to changing circumstances.
To finance the formal and Islamic education of my children, grandchildren and those of my brothers and sisters to the highest level they can individually attain.