President Bola Tinubu has prayed for lasting peace, national unity and an end to insecurity in Nigeria after performing the lesser Hajj, known as Umrah, in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Tinubu performed the Islamic spiritual exercise early Friday morning at the Grand Mosque, Masjid al-Haram, where he offered prayers of gratitude to Almighty Allah and sought divine guidance and protection for Nigeria.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.
On Wednesday, THE WHISTLER reported Tinubu’s planned journey to Makkah, following an announcement by the Presidency that he would travel to Saudi Arabia to pray for Nigeria.
The report also recalled that the trip came weeks after Tinubu returned from a four-week vacation in Europe. He had returned to Lagos from Paris, France, on September 29, after beginning the vacation on August 30.
Speaking with journalists after performing Umrah, the President described the spiritual exercise as significant to his commitment to Nigeria, its people and the will of Allah.
He said, “I believe this Umrah is very significant for the love of our people, commitment to the job and our country, Nigeria; commitment to the will of Allah that His words must prevail, and that there’s no other God but Him and He’s the only one that makes a human being what he can be and what he would be in life.”
Tinubu said he prayed for Nigerians to live in peace, harmony and happiness, while expressing gratitude to Allah for the opportunity to perform the religious exercise.
“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 said.
The President also sought divine wisdom for the country’s leaders, stronger bonds of brotherhood among citizens and lasting relief from insecurity and other national challenges.
He expressed optimism that Nigeria would make further progress in economic prosperity, social development and security.
Tinubu further pledged his administration’s commitment to building a peaceful, united and prosperous country where Nigerians, irrespective of religious or ethnic backgrounds, can live in safety and dignity.
