President Muhammadu Buhari has completed an eight-day official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where he also performed the Umrah (Lesser Hajj). Buhari successfully performed the Umrah rituals amid tight security, after his arrival at the Grand Mosque in Makkah from Madinah on Thursday morning.
Buhari, along with members of his entourage, as well as some traditional and religious leaders from the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, were led by a delegation from the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque in the performance of the rituals.
Before his departure, Saudi Government officials, traditional and spiritual leaders from Nigeria, as well as some senior staff of the Nigerian Embassy in the Kingdom, were at the King Abdulaziz International Airport Jeddah to bid farewell to the President. President Buhari had earlier visited some historic religious places in Madinah on Tuesday and Wednesday before he proceeded to Makkah for the Umrah.
During his stay in Makkah, President Buhari hosted some traditional and religious leaders to an Iftar dinner (breaking of fast). The Emirs of Kano and Bichi in Kano State, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero and Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero, who spoke after the event, both said that only a united country could move forward and attain its goals. The religious leaders in attendance were Malam Abubakar Sulaiman, the Chief Imam of the Aso Rock Villa, Sheikh Al-Kanawi Alhassan Ahmed, Dr. Bashir Umar, Muhammad Kamaluddeen Lemu, and Nuruddeen Danesi Asunogie.
President Buhari also received updates on developments at home from some government officials, including the governors of Borno and Yobe states. Additionally, he met the Otaru of Auchi, Dr. Aliru Momoh; Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Mamman Bage; Emir of Bauchi, Rilwan Adamu Sulaiman; Akadiri Saliu Momoh, Abdulfatah Chimaeze Emetumah, Fatima Ijeoma Emetumah, and Alhaji Isa Sanusi Bayero.
Prayers were offered for peace in the country, the successful end of the President’s term, and the success of the incoming administration. President Buhari had earlier visited and prayed at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. He also met with elder statesman, philanthropist, and patriarch of the Dantata family, Alhaji Aminu Dantata, in Makkah where he once again expressed his condolences over the demise of his wife, Hajiya Rabi Dantata. On Wednesday, Buhari departed Saudi Arabia via King Abdulaziz International Airport Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
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