* Over 20,000 beneficiaries in 28 states receive food and cash support ahead of Eid
Excitement and prayers of gratitude echoed across several Muslim communities as underprivileged families received food items and cash support from the Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation during Ramadan, easing the burden of fasting and helping many prepare for Eid el Fitr.
Beneficiaries also called on other foundations and well to do individuals to support such initiatives in order to expand assistance to more vulnerable people.
Muslim News gathered that the Foundation has distributed food packs valued at over ₦105 million across Nigeria, reaching more than 20,000 indigent individuals and families in 28 states since the start of the fasting period.
The intervention, we were reliably informed, was designed to support Muslims during suhoor and iftar, includes staple food items as well as cash assistance in some locations.
To ensure effective delivery, the distribution is being coordinated through Imams and community representatives who serve as direct links to vulnerable households.
At a central collection point in Lagos, hundreds of representatives gathered at the Foundation’s office, the Tafawa Balewa Square, to receive food packs on behalf of their communities, with each allocated about 25 packs for onward distribution.
Beneficiaries express gratitude and hope
In some centres, including Wahab Yakub Central Mosque in Obalande, Lagos, beneficiaries received packages containing a five kilogramme bag of rice and five thousand naira, a combination aimed at helping families meet immediate food needs and prepare for Eid Fitr with dignity.
Some of the beneficiaries expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for using the Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation to ease their affairs. Imam Zhikirullah AbdulBashir of Wahab Yakub Central Mosque in Obalande described the intervention as timely, especially for fasting Muslims who might otherwise struggle to celebrate Eid.
“We came here to collect zakat al fitr, a package of five kilogrammes of rice and five thousand naira,” he said, adding, “This is very good because there are people fasting without anything to celebrate Eid Fitr. With these items, they will be very happy to celebrate well.”
He urged the organisers to sustain the initiative and prayed for divine blessings upon all contributors.
Also speaking, Hajia Adijah Muhammed who represented another Mosque, expressed deep appreciation after receiving the Ramadan support, noting that the Foundation’s consistency has made a lasting impact on many families.
“We were given zakat by the Sadaqa Foundation, Alhamdulillah. We give thanks to them because they usually give us every year. We do not have anything to reward them, but may Allah reward them with abundant blessings,” she said.
The beneficiary offered prayers for the organisers, asking Allah to support and remember them for their generosity. She also encouraged others to embrace acts of charity, stressing that kindness often spreads within communities.
“My advice to people is to continue doing good like this. As they gave us, we will also share with others from what we received,” he added.
Foundation commits to expanding impact
Speaking earlier, the Executive Director of the Foundation, Prince Olagunju Sulayman, said the programme reflects the true essence of Ramadan, which promotes compassion, generosity, and shared responsibility.
He explained that the decentralised structure not only ensures that support reaches those who need it most but also preserves the dignity of beneficiaries.
As part of efforts to expand its impact, the Foundation is planning an additional intervention ahead of Eid Fitr, with about ₦25 million worth of food items to be distributed to more than 10,000 vulnerable individuals.
Prince Olagunju reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to ensuring that no family goes hungry during the sacred period, while also appreciating donors, volunteers, and partners whose support has sustained the initiative.
As the distribution continues, the joy among beneficiaries remains evident, reflected in their smiles, prayers, and renewed hope that the spirit of giving will continue to touch more lives.
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