President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday departed Abuja for Makkah, Saudi Arabia, to perform Umrah, the Lesser Hajj, during which he is expected to pray for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability and continued progress.
The President departed the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at about 2:20 p.m., accompanied by prayers and goodwill from governors and senior government officials who were present to see him off.
Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced the trip in a statement on Wednesday, noting that the President would return to Nigeria next week after completing the spiritual exercise.
Before his departure, the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Nigeria, Yousef Bin Mohammed Al-Balawi, presented the President with a bisht, a traditional Arabian overcoat, on behalf of the Saudi Crown Prince.
According to the Presidency, the visit would provide an opportunity for spiritual reflection and devotion, during which Tinubu would perform the religious rites associated with Umrah and seek divine guidance and blessings for Nigeria and its people.
The Presidency had also announced that the President was scheduled to commission equipment acquired by the Nigerian Air Force for its operations at the Presidential Wing of the airport before departing for Saudi Arabia.
Among the dignitaries who saw the President off were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq; Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni; and Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum.
Others included Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani; Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi; and Sokoto State Governor, Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto.
Also present were the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi; the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate; and the member representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Babajimi Benson.
The Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua, Ambassador Reno Omokri, and the Director of Protocol at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ibrahim Sule Dan Agundi, also attended the departure ceremony.
