President Bola Tinubu says performing Umrah is a deeply spiritual experience for him, describing the pilgrimage as an opportunity to pray for Nigeria and its citizens.
Tinubu spoke in a video posted on his X page after performing Umrah, also known as the lesser hajj, early Friday morning in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
“I am grateful to Almighty Allah for the privilege of performing Umrah here in Saudi Arabia,” Tinubu said.
“This is a deeply spiritual moment for me, and an opportunity to offer prayers for our beloved country, Nigeria, and all our people.
“May Almighty Allah accept our prayers and supplications, grant our nation lasting peace, strengthen our unity, protect our people, and bless our collective efforts to build a more prosperous Nigeria.
“May He grant us wisdom and strength in the service of our nation and accept our Ibadah.”
The president said the religious exercise was also significant ahead of his re-election bid, citing his love for Nigerians, commitment to his responsibilities and faith in God.
Tinubu embarked on a similar pilgrimage shortly before the 2023 presidential election, which he won.
“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 Allah and he’s the only one that makes a human being what he can be and what he would be in life,” he added.
“We just pray for our nation. We pray for everyone to be well, to live in harmony and faith in God almighty.”
The president arrived at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah on Thursday evening.
He was received by Yakubu Gambo, Nigeria’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, and Ahmad bin Thafir, the Saudi head of royal protocol.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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