April 19, (THEWILL) – President Muhammadu Buhari has returned to Abuja, after an eight-day official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where he also performed the Umrah (Lesser Hajj).
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), President Nigerian Buhari departed Saudi Arabia via King Abdulaziz International Airport Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday.
THEWILL reports that the 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 airport to bid farewell to the President.
President Buhari had successfully performed Umrah rituals, amid tight security, upon his arrival at the Grand Mosque in Makkah from Madinah last Thursday.
The President, alongside members of his entourage, as well as some traditional and religious leaders from the six geopolitical zones of the country, were led by a delegation from the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque in the performance of the rituals.
The Nigerian leader had visited some historic religious places in Madinah last week Tuesday and Wednesday before he proceeded to Makkah for the Umrah.
While away in Saudi, President Buhari also received updates on developments at home from some government officials including the Governors of Borno and Yobe States.
Also, while in Makkah, President Buhari hosted some traditional and religious leaders for 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, said 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.
Others were Alhaji Ibrahim Kasuwar Magani, Prof. Shehu Galadanchi, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Adiatu, Sheikh Haroun Ogbonnia Ajah and Alhaji Bala Lau.
The President had also 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 term of the President and for 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.
Alhaji Dantata had on April 9, lost his wife, Rabi Dantata, at a medical centre in Saudi Arabia.
