President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to depart Abuja on Thursday for Makkah, Saudi Arabia, where he will undertake the Islamic pilgrimage of Umrah and offer prayers for Nigeria’s peace, unity and development.
The Presidency announced the planned journey in a statement issued on Wednesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, Tinubu will use the religious visit for spiritual reflection and devotion, while seeking divine guidance for the country and its citizens.
The President is expected to return to Nigeria next week after completing the pilgrimage rites.
However, before leaving Abuja, Tinubu will commission newly acquired equipment intended to strengthen the operational capabilities of the Nigerian Air Force.
The commissioning ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, ahead of his departure for Saudi Arabia.
The Presidency did not provide details of the equipment to be commissioned or disclose the number of assets involved.
The ceremony will precede the President’s journey to Makkah, one of Islam’s holiest cities, where he is expected to perform the religious observances associated with Umrah.
Onanuga explained that the pilgrimage would provide an opportunity for Tinubu to pray for national stability, unity and continued progress.
The President’s prayers, according to the statement, will also focus on Nigeria’s development and the wellbeing of its people.
Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage undertaken in Makkah and involves religious rites including Tawaf, the circumambulation of the Kaaba, and Sa’i, the movement between the hills of Safa and Marwah.
Unlike Hajj, which is performed during a designated period of the Islamic calendar, Umrah can be undertaken at various times throughout the year.
Although it is commonly referred to as the lesser pilgrimage, Umrah remains an important act of worship for Muslims who undertake the journey.
Tinubu’s planned visit comes amid continuing national concerns over insecurity, economic conditions and the need for sustained development across the country.
The Presidency presented the journey primarily as a religious engagement intended to allow the President to seek spiritual guidance and blessings for Nigeria.
It also indicated that the trip would be relatively brief, with Tinubu expected back in the country the following week.
No additional official engagements in Saudi Arabia were announced in the statement.
The planned commissioning of Air Force equipment before his departure will form part of the President’s final scheduled activities in Abuja ahead of the pilgrimage.
The Presidency reiterated that the spiritual exercise would be dedicated to prayers for peace, unity, stability and progress throughout Nigeria.
Ezeana Emmanuel
