The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), departed Nigeria on Tuesday last week on an official and spiritual journey to Saudi Arabia to thank Allah for his tenure, as he prepares to hand over to the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu on May 29.
The president’s journey spanning from April 11 to 19, would be his last trip to Saudi Arabia as president.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami and Buhari’s media aide, Garba Shehu, who recently spoke to journalists on the significance of the president’s trip, said Buhari was in Mecca to thank Allah for the successful eight years in service of his country.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the president, accompanied by his aides, first visited Madinah, where he toured some historic religious places, including the International Fair and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilisation in the city, as part of his engagement.
While at the Museum, Buhari maintained that ”the spread of true knowledge of the religion of Islam is the most important task now facing global Muslims.”
Buhari observed the five daily and Taraweeh prayers at the Masjid Nabawi before departing for Mecca via Jeddah late on Wednesday for the lesser pilgrimage.
The president, alongside his aides, some traditional rulers and religious leaders, performed Umrah rituals, amid tight security, upon his arrival at the Grand Mosque in Mecca.
