Happening now: Tinubu off to Saudi Arabia to carry out Umrah

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday departed Abuja for Makkah, Saudi Arabia, to carry out Umrah, an Islamic pilgrimage to the holy metropolis, with prayers for Nigeria’s peace, unity and continued progress anticipated to kind a part of his non secular train.

The presidential plane, an Airbus A330-200, took off at 2:20 pm native time, with the President anticipated to return to Nigeria subsequent week after finishing the pilgrimage.

Tinubu’s departure was introduced on Thursday by his Special Assistant on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, in a put up on X.

According to Olusegun, the go to would offer the President with a possibility for non secular reflection, devotion and prayers for the nation amid ongoing efforts to deal with its financial and safety challenges.

“The visit gives the President an opportunity for spiritual reflection, devotion, and prayers for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability, and continued progress,” he wrote.

Six governors, prime officers see Tinubu off

Six state governors and senior authorities officers have been amongst dignitaries who noticed the President off on the airport in Abuja.

The governors have been AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, Babagana Zulum of Borno State, Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto State, Umar Namadi of Jigawa State and Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State.

Also current have been the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Mexico, Reno Omokri, alongside different authorities officers.

The presence of the governors and senior officers underscored the high-level delegation that accompanied the President to the airport forward of his departure for Saudi Arabia.

Tinubu to hunt divine steerage for Nigeria

Olusegun stated the President would carry out the non secular rites related to Umrah throughout his keep in Makkah and search divine steerage for Nigeria and its residents.

“While in Makkah, President Tinubu will perform the religious rites associated with Umrah, seeking Allah’s guidance and blessings for Nigeria and its people,” he said.

Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah that may be carried out at varied instances of the yr, in contrast to Hajj, which takes place throughout a specified interval within the Islamic calendar.

The pilgrimage entails a sequence of non secular rites, together with getting into a state of consecration generally known as Ihram, performing Tawaf across the Kaaba and endeavor Sa’i between the hills of Safa and Marwah.

Tinubu beforehand visited Makkah in 2023

Thursday’s journey marks the second time Tinubu has travelled to Makkah to carry out Umrah since assuming workplace on May 29, 2023.

The President visited the holy metropolis in November 2023, shortly after attending the Saudi-African Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

During that journey, he additionally sought divine steerage for Nigeria as he continued his first yr in workplace.

The newest go to provides to Tinubu’s overseas engagements since changing into President, with the Nigerian chief having travelled to greater than 30 nations via over 50 distinctive and recurring journeys, in keeping with the data offered.

The President is predicted to return to Nigeria subsequent week after finishing the non secular train.