By BASHIR ADEFAKA
President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, barring any last minute change, will return to Abuja, the nation’s capital and seat of power, today Friday 29 October, 2021.
The President, who will possibly depart Makkah via King AbdulAziz International Airport, Jeddah, the commercial economic nerve centre of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, left the country on Monday 25 October for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he participated in the Future Investment Initiative Summit, organized by the Future Investment Initiative Institute.
Disclosed by Malam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, who disclosed the Leader’s trip to the KSA in a statement sent to The DEFENDER earlier that Monday, stated clearly in the release that his boss will, after the conference, will visit the Holy City of Madina on siyara to Holy Prophet Muhammad’s Mosque and then proceed to Holy of Makkah where he would perform Umrah, the Lesser Hajj, before returning to the country on Friday 29 October, 2021.
The DEFENDER, which has given day-to-day update on the President’s visit to world’s Islam and oil wealth’s headquarters, had reported Thursday that the President left Riyadh on Wednesday and flew straight to Madinah, where he was received by Deputy Governor Saud bin Khalid Al Faisal, at the Prince Muhammad Abdulaziz International Airport, Madinah, from where his convoy drove to Haram Madinah, the Holy Mosque in the city, where he offered prayers for Nigeria right inside Raodah, in the home and resting place of Holy Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him.
President Buhari, according to this fast growing online newspaper, finally arrived at the Holy City of Makkah in the early hours of Thursday, 28 October, for the Umrah, Lesser Hajj, after his Nigeria Air Force 01 planed touched the ground at King AbdulAziz International Airport, Jeddah with him along with his eligible members of delegation cladding in his Harami, the white pilgrim’s wear.
Upon arrival at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, the Nigerian President and members of delegation were received by a number of officials and Special Forces of the security of the Grand Mosque and were led straight to the Holy Ka’abah for the rituals.
In the performance of Umrah, the President expectedly performed the Tawaf, circumambulation of the Holy Ka’abah seven times, drinking of zamzam water and then proceeding to Sai, for the Safa and Marwa runs and again praying extensively for Nigeria.
In line with Muslim practices, prayers were made for the nation’s success against the challenges facing it, particularly the issues of insecurity, unity and general well-being of its people.
After performing the Umrah, the delegation discussed with the Saudis on several issues, including the need for both countries to continue coordination in confronting extremism and terrorism. They also agreed to boost trade, investment and economic cooperation.
Earlier in Riyadh, he was joined at the 5th edition of the flagship investment event by business executives from Nigeria, bankers, Captains of industry and energy experts to discuss issues on the future of investments across the globe.
The three-day event, with the theme, INVESTMENT IN HUMANITY, which hosted global executives and asset managers, deliberated on progress and prosperity with energy; true final frontiers in investments; science in action; and impact of climate change on communities among others.
