Praise Isioye
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has revealed that he went to Makkah for Thanksgiving as his prayers were to become Nigeria’s president was answered and he had promised to return to thank Allah.
”I asked for wisdom and resilience to serve the people. I truly believe my prayer was answered. Before the 2023 election, I did something similar. I prayed to Allah for blessings on my Umrah, and He granted that too. I promised to return and thank Him,” the President stated”.
Tinubu who reaffirmed his commitment to the growth of Nigeria also promised to create a thriving nation, invest in the youth, and implement policies that match the dreams of Nigerians.
Tinubu shared this commitment on Monday while reflecting on his recent spiritual visit to Saudi Arabia for Umrah, also known as the lesser Hajj. During this trip, he had the special opportunity to pray inside the Holy Ka’abah in Makkah.
The President expressed gratitude to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia for granting him and his team this rare honor.
He called the experience a historic and treasured spiritual moment that highlighted the strong bond between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
At the Holy Ka’abah, Tinubu prayed to Almighty Allah, thanking Him for allowing him to serve as Nigeria’s President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
Sheikh Dahlulah Muthawal from Masjid al-Haram guided the President into the sacred area.
Discussing his experience, Tinubu mentioned that this privilege has deepened his faith and strengthened his commitment to serving the country. He also expressed appreciation for the warm welcome and recognition given by Saudi authorities to him and his delegation.
“I thank the Crown Prince and all the administrators of the holy land. I thank them for the hospitality and recognition given to me as the leader of the delegation and the country,” he said.
“We are all facing challenges and hostility around us. We will overcome them with faith in God Almighty. I’m grateful forever. I thank the King and the royal Crown Prince,” he said.
Tinubu shared that he prayed for wisdom and strength to keep serving the people of Nigeria, believing that his prayers would help him fulfill his duties.
“I asked for wisdom and resilience to serve the people. I truly believe my prayer was answered. Before the 2023 election, I did something similar. I prayed to Allah for blessings on my Umrah, and He granted that too. I promised to return and thank Him,” the President stated.
While reflecting on Surah Aal-Imran, Verse 26 of the Holy Qur’an, which says that Almighty Allah gives power to whom He chooses and takes it away from others, Tinubu emphasized that political power is a responsibility that must be handled with care.
He highlighted that leaders should act with humility, integrity, and a focus on the people’s well-being, reminding everyone that no position of authority lasts forever.
“There is no other God but Almighty Allah. He is the giver and the taker. He owns power and authority. He says, ‘If I give you, use it well. If you don’t use it in accordance with my dictates, I can take it from you and give it to another person. I am the only One who has that authority,’” he said.
The President called his role as Nigeria’s leader a special gift from God, which should be met with genuine service to the nation.
“I have faith in that, and I believe extremely well that He has done me and my country a great favour. Out of many millions of people, to be the President and Commander-in-Chief is a favour that only Almighty God can do to a human being,” he said.
Tinubu mentioned that his spiritual journey has strengthened his dedication to national growth, adding that his administration is committed to fostering prosperity and advancing Nigeria’s development.
“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.
“It is important to put Allah first, then move on. Follow your conscience. Follow the right path that will lead Nigeria to that greatness,” he said.
The President shared his positive views on the country’s economy, noting that its foundation is strong and that the nation’s recovery from tough times is promising.
“The foundation is solid, and the economy has come out of the dark tunnel. This is inspiring,” he said.
He stressed the importance of continued investment in young Nigerians, cautioning that today’s leaders’ choices will influence how future generations see their leadership.
“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? That’s the main thing. So this is a rare privilege to lead the country,” Tinubu said.
He reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to boosting the economy, creating more opportunities for young people, and establishing a supportive environment for Nigerians to achieve their goals.
The President also thanked Almighty Allah for allowing him to lead the country and promised to earn the trust placed in him by Nigerians through effective leadership and ongoing efforts towards national development.
Additionally, Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, along with governors from Borno, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kaduna, Yobe, and Kwara states expressed their gratitude to Allah for the chance to visit the Holy Ka’abah and pray with the President.
Business leaders like Abdul Samad Rabiu, Chairman of BUA Group, and Wale Tinubu, CEO of Oando, also expressed their appreciation for this unique spiritual opportunity.