PUNCH
The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), is being expected to return to Abuja after an eight-day official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where he also performed the Umrah (Lesser Hajj).
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Nigerian leader departed Saudi Arabia via the King Abdulaziz International Airport Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday.
Buhari’s aircraft is expected to land at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, around 5pm.
NAN reports that 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.
The president had successfully performed Umrah rituals, amid tight security, upon his arrival at the Grand Mosque in Makkah from Madinah on Thursday morning.
NAN reports that the president had 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 earlier visited some historic religious places in Madinah on Tuesday and Wednesday before he proceeded to Makkah for the Umrah.
The president also received updates on developments at home from some government officials including Governors of Borno and Yobe states.
Also while in Makkah, President Buhari hosted some traditional and religious leaders to Iftar dinner (breaking of fast).
The emirs of Kano and Bichi in Kano State, Alhaji Ado Bayero and Alhaji Nasiru Bayero, who spoke after the event both said only a united country could move forward and attain its goals.
