President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Thursday for Makkah, Saudi Arabia, to perform Umrah, an Islamic pilgrimage involving prayers and other religious rites.
Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, explaining that the visit would provide the president with an opportunity for spiritual reflection and prayers for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability and continued development.
According to the statement, Tinubu will observe the religious rites associated with Umrah while seeking Allah’s guidance and blessings for Nigeria and its citizens.
The statement read, “While in Makkah, President Tinubu will perform the religious rites associated with Umrah, seeking Allah’s guidance and blessings for Nigeria and its people.”
Before departing the country, the president is expected to commission equipment recently acquired by the Nigerian Air Force to support its operations. The commissioning ceremony will take place at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
Onanuga added that Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria next week after completing the spiritual exercise.
The planned trip comes weeks after the president returned from a vacation in Europe in September, during which he later declared himself fit and ready to resume official duties.
The Umrah pilgrimage is an Islamic religious practice that involves visiting the holy city of Makkah and performing prescribed rites. Unlike Hajj, which takes place during a specific period of the Islamic calendar, Umrah can be performed at various times throughout the year.
