* As over 1,500 families benefit from Dabbagh, The Companion Food Appeal
As the holy month of Ramadan draws to a close, Imam Mansur Abdul Azeez, Dawah Coordinator for the Lagos District of The Companion, an association of Muslim men in business and the professions, has urged Muslims across Nigeria not to fix a specific date for Eid el Fitr but to await the sighting of the new crescent after sunset on Wednesday, March 18.
He emphasized that the observation should follow the directive of the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the National Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III.
Imam Abdul Azeez gave the advice on Wednesday, March 18, during a lecture at the distribution of food items and cash to fasting families at the Sports Centre in Agege, Lagos.
The exercise, conducted under the Nigeria Food Appeal initiative, directly benefited 100 families in the area. The programme was organised by the UK based Dabbagh Welfare Trust in partnership with The Companion.
The food distribution featured essential items including 25 kg of rice, 10 kg of beans, 10 kg of garri, palm oil, groundnut oil, tomato paste, and dates.
The support was intended to ease the burden of fasting and ensure that families had adequate provisions as they prepared to celebrate Eid el Fitr.
Muslim News gathered that the humanitarian food programme, initiated by UK based Imam Sheikh Mohammed Mahmoud, began in December 2025 during the month of Rajab and continued through Shaaban into Ramadan, spanning three months of sustained outreach.
During this period, approximately 1,500 families have benefited from the programme nationwide.
Preparing for Eid with dignity
Speaking at the event, Imam Abdul Azeez congratulated Muslims on the successful completion of this year’s Ramadan. He noted that the fasting period may end tonight or tomorrow depending on the sighting of the moon and urged Nigerian Muslims to remain united and follow the official declaration of the Sultan of Sokoto regarding Eid.
The Daw’ah Coordinator also called on Muslims to begin paying their Zakat fitr immediately, stressing that it must be completed before the Eid prayer, whether on Thursday or Friday, so that the less privileged can share in the joy of the festival. 
Imam Abdul Azeez advised worshippers to prepare for Eid by wearing their best clothes and described the day as one of joy, gratitude, and communal unity. He added that women observing menstruation are encouraged to attend the Eid ground, remain in designated areas, and listen attentively to the Khutbah.
“That is why Eid is meant to be observed in open spaces,” he said, underscoring the importance of large congregational gatherings in Islam. He further reminded participants to eat before leaving for the Eid prayer, explaining that failing to do so suggests continued fasting, which is not permitted on the day of Eid.
The Muslim scholar also instructed worshippers on the appropriate supplications to recite while going to and returning from the Eid ground, cautioning against unnecessary conversations and urging focus on remembrance of Allah to preserve the spiritual rewards of Ramadan.
Dabbagh Welfare Trust supports vulnerable families
Also speaking at the event, the Operations Manager of The Companion Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation, Mall. Mustafa Shafi’i, described the exercise as the third edition of the initiative driven by the UK based Dabbagh Welfare Trust under the leadership of Sheikh Mohammed Mahmoud.
He explained that the partnership was conceived following discussions with Sheikh Mahmoud during his visit to Nigeria late last year, when both parties explored ways of supporting vulnerable Muslims through structured food bank interventions.
Mall. Shafi’i noted that the initiative aligns with similar food appeal programmes already being implemented by the foundation in the United Kingdom and other parts of the world.
He added that the first phase of the distribution was carried out in December 2025 during Rajab, after which it was extended to Shaaban and subsequently to Ramadan to sustain support for beneficiaries throughout the fasting period. Plans are also in place to continue the programme beyond Ramadan as part of a long term humanitarian effort.
Speaking on the motivation behind the initiative, he said the project was inspired by the belief that effective propagation of Islam is closely tied to the welfare of the people.
He explained that individuals struggling to meet basic needs are less likely to engage meaningfully with religious teachings, highlighting the importance of feeding as a foundation for spiritual outreach.
According to him, “With 100 families benefiting in the current phase and a total of 300 beneficiaries reached across the three editions, the initiative is estimated to have impacted about 1,500 individuals, assuming an average of five persons per household.”
Ensuring smiles and relief for Muslims ahead of Eid
Corroborating, the Executive Secretary of The Companion, Dr Rafiu Alabi, expressed appreciation to Dabbagh Welfare Trust for putting smiles on the faces of needy Muslims ahead of Eid el Fitr celebrations.
He noted that the intervention was timely to ensure that beneficiary families had sufficient food at home to celebrate Sallah with ease and dignity. Dr Alabi added that the choice of The Companion by the sponsor underscores the organisation’s credibility and the trust it has earned over time.
He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and highlighted that the platform continues to enable the group to contribute meaningfully to the growth and welfare of Islam both in Nigeria and globally.
Beneficiaries express gratitude
Beneficiaries, both male and female, expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the organisers for the timely support. Speaking on behalf of the recipients, Soyeye Aminah, a beneficiary from Oshodi, said:
“I am here at The Companion food distribution in Agege. We received different types of food to help us prepare for Eid el Fitr, and we also received transport fare. I am very grateful to the organisers for this opportunity and their support.
“Given the difficult economic situation in Nigeria, this initiative is very timely and appreciated. It ensures that we have something to eat during and after Eid, and it brings relief and joy to our families,” she added.
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