President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pledged to strengthen his commitment to national development, economic prosperity and investment in young Nigerians following his spiritual journey to Saudi Arabia, where he performed Umrah and offered prayers inside the Holy Ka’abah in Makkah.
The President made this known on Monday while reflecting on the rare privilege granted to him and members of his Nigerian delegation to enter the sacred structure, following approval by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
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Sheikh Dahlulah Muthawal of Masjid al-Haram led President Tinubu into the Ka’abah, where he offered prayers of gratitude to Almighty Allah for the opportunity to serve as Nigeria’s President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
President Tinubu expressed appreciation to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the honour, describing the experience as historic and a reflection of the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
He said he prayed for wisdom and resilience to continue serving Nigerians, expressing confidence that his prayers had been answered.
The President also reflected on Qur’anic teachings in Surah Aal-Imran, Verse 26, which emphasise that Allah is the ultimate owner of sovereignty and grants power and authority to whom He wills.
He noted that leadership is a responsibility that must be exercised with humility, integrity and dedication to the welfare of the people.
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President Tinubu said his experience had further strengthened his faith and conviction that his emergence as Nigeria’s leader was a divine privilege that must translate into purposeful service.
“My commitment to Project Nigeria is higher. I am determined to usher in prosperity and fully develop the country, consistent with the wish of Allah and the support of the people,” he said.
On the economy, the President expressed optimism about the country’s progress, describing its economic foundation as solid and the nation’s emergence from a difficult period as encouraging.
He, however, stressed the need for sustained investment in young Nigerians, saying the decisions taken by present leaders would determine how future generations remember them.
“We need to build a future for our youth. If we don’t invest in their future, how do we want to be remembered as leaders 50 years from now?” he asked.
President Tinubu assured Nigerians that his administration would remain focused on strengthening the economy, expanding opportunities for young people and creating an enabling environment for national prosperity.
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Meanwhile, members of the Nigerian delegation, including Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate; and Governors of Borno, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kaduna, Yobe and Kwara States, expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for the opportunity to enter the Ka’abah and pray alongside the President.
Also among the delegation were business leaders, including Chairman of BUA Group, Abdulsamad Rabiu, and Oando Chief Executive Officer, Wale Tinubu.