President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday departed King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for Abuja after completing his Umrah (Lesser Hajj) in the holy city of Makkah.
According to a statement by the presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the President’s aircraft took off from the Royal Terminal of the airport at exactly 5:13 p.m. Saudi time.
Onanuga said the Deputy Governor of the Makkah Region, Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Yakubu Gambo, and the Consul-General, Muazam Ibrahim Nayaya, accompanied the President to the airport.
Before his departure, Tinubu held a brief meeting with the Deputy Governor of Makkah at the Royal Guest Palace within the airport.
The President had earlier led members of the Nigerian delegation in performing the Umrah rites, including the circumambulation of the Holy Ka’abah.
Last Sunday, Tinubu was granted the rare privilege of entering the sacred structure, where he and members of his delegation performed the two raka’at prayers.
Inside the Holy Ka’abah, the President offered special supplications to Almighty Allah for lasting peace, security, unity and prosperity in Nigeria, while seeking divine guidance, wisdom and strength to continue serving the Nigerian people.
He also prayed for Allah’s continued blessings upon Nigeria, its leaders and citizens, expressing hope that the country’s diversity would become a source of strength, national cohesion and shared prosperity.
