Tinubu returns to Abuja after week-long Umrah in Saudi Arabia

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday evening returned to Abuja after finishing a week-long Umrah pilgrimage within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the place he supplied prayers for Nigeria’s peace, safety, unity and prosperity.

The President’s plane touched down on the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at precisely 8:53 p.m., based on an replace by the State House media workplace, blueprint experiences.

Tinubu was acquired on arrival by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa; Minister of State for Defence; the Inspector-General of Police and different senior authorities officers.

His return adopted the completion of the lesser Hajj in Makkah, the place he and members of the Nigerian delegation carried out the spiritual rites of Umrah and had been granted the uncommon privilege of coming into the inside of the Holy Ka’abah to wish.

The President had departed King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah at 5:13 p.m. Saudi time on Wednesday. Before leaving, he held a quick assembly with the Deputy Governor of the Makkah Region, Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, on the Royal Guest Palace inside the airport.

The Deputy Governor, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Yakubu Gambo, and the Consul-General, Muazam Ibrahim Nayaya, accompanied him to the airport.

Tinubu’s uncommon entry to Holy Ka’abah

Tinubu arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, October 29, for the religious train. He carried out the Umrah rites early Friday, October 30, on the Grand Mosque, Masjid al-Haram, in Makkah.

The train included the circumambulation of the Holy Ka’abah, adopted by different prescribed rites of the pilgrimage.

However, a serious spotlight of the go to was his entry into the inside of the Ka’abah on Sunday, November 1, after the Saudi authorities granted him and members of the Nigerian delegation entry to the sacred construction.

The State House mentioned the privilege was prolonged by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Sheikh Dahlulah Muthawal of Masjid al-Haram led the President into the Ka’abah, the place Tinubu and members of the delegation carried out two raka’at prayers.

The President additionally kissed the Black Stone, often called Hajar al-Aswad, throughout the go to.

Reflecting on the expertise in a press release issued on November 2, Tinubu described the chance to enter the Ka’abah as a historic and deeply cherished religious expertise.

He expressed appreciation to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the privilege and hospitality prolonged to him and the Nigerian delegation.

“I want to say a big thank you for the faith, for the recognition. I can’t believe the fencing of the Ka’abah is in Green-White-Green, which reminds us of the Nigerian identity,” the President mentioned.

He added: “It is an honour that I enjoyed, and it is gracious of them to have allowed me to enter inside the Ka’abah. This is history.”

Prays for Nigeria, seeks knowledge to manipulate

According to the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu used the chance to supply particular supplications for lasting peace, safety, unity and prosperity in Nigeria.

The President additionally prayed for divine steerage, knowledge and energy for the nation’s leaders, whereas asking for continued blessings upon Nigerians.

Speaking to journalists shortly after performing the Umrah rites on October 30, Tinubu mentioned the train was important due to his dedication to the nation and the welfare of its individuals.

“I am grateful to Allah for being able to perform this Umrah. We have just prayed for our nation, for everyone to live in peace and harmony, happiness and faith in God Almighty,” he mentioned.

He additionally expressed hope that Nigeria would make additional progress in financial prosperity and social growth, whereas overcoming insecurity and different challenges.

In his November 2 reflection on the pilgrimage, the President mentioned he particularly requested Allah for knowledge and resilience to proceed serving Nigerians.

“Well, I asked for wisdom and resilience to continue to serve the people. I know that prayer has been granted. Before the 2023 election, I did the same thing. I asked Allah to bless my Umrah then, and He did. And I promised that I would come back to thank Him,” Tinubu mentioned.

He additional drew from Surah Aal-Imran, Verse 26 of the Holy Qur’an, which speaks about Allah’s sovereignty and authority to offer and take energy.

According to him, the message reinforces the necessity for leaders to train authority responsibly, with humility and within the service of the individuals.

“There is no other God but Almighty Allah. He is the giver and the taker. He owns power and authority. He says, ‘If I give you, use it well. If you don’t use it in accordance with my dictates, I can take it from you and give it to another person. I am the only One who has that authority,’” he mentioned.

Tinubu additionally reaffirmed his dedication to what he described as Project Nigeria, saying the expertise had strengthened his dedication to pursue nationwide growth and prosperity.

“My commitment to Project Nigeria is higher. I am determined to usher in prosperity and fully develop the country, consistent with the wish of Allah and the support of the people,” he mentioned.

He additionally pressured the necessity to put money into the way forward for younger Nigerians, noting that selections taken by current leaders would form how future generations keep in mind them.

“We need to build a future for our youth. If we don’t invest in their future, how do we want to be remembered as leaders 50 years from now?” he added.

Governors, ministers, enterprise leaders accompanied President

The President’s delegation included the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi; Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate; and governors from a number of states.

The governors named within the State House account included these of Sokoto, Jigawa, Kaduna, Borno, Yobe and Kwara states.

Business leaders, together with Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, and Oando Chief Executive Officer, Wale Tinubu, had been additionally amongst those that accompanied the President throughout the go to. His son, Yinka Tinubu, was additionally reported to have been a part of the delegation.

The State House mentioned members of the delegation expressed gratitude for the chance to enter and pray contained in the Ka’abah.

The go to additionally supplied a chance for the President to acknowledge Nigeria’s longstanding relationship with Saudi Arabia, thanking King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the hospitality prolonged to him and the delegation.

Tinubu’s return brings to an finish the pilgrimage, which the Presidency mentioned supplied a chance for religious reflection, thanksgiving and prayers for the nation.