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• Seeks wisdom, resilience to govern, pledges investment in youths’ future
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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has declared that his commitment to building a prosperous Nigeria has become stronger following his spiritual experience in Saudi Arabia, where he was granted the rare privilege of entering the Holy Ka’abah in Makkah to offer prayers.
The President said he used the opportunity to seek divine wisdom and resilience to continue leading the country, expressing confidence that Almighty Allah had answered his prayers.
Tinubu, who spoke on Monday while reflecting on his Umrah pilgrimage, also pledged to deepen his administration’s investment in the future of young Nigerians, insisting that the decisions taken by present leaders would determine how they would be remembered by generations to come.
“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.
The President described his access to the Holy Ka’abah, facilitated by Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as a historic and deeply cherished spiritual experience.
He expressed gratitude to the Saudi monarch and Crown Prince for extending the privilege to him and members of the Nigerian delegation, describing the gesture as a reflection of the longstanding friendship and mutual respect between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
Tinubu, who was led into the Ka’abah by Sheikh Dahlulah Muthawal of Masjid al-Haram, said he was particularly moved by the experience, which he described as a rare honour.
“I want to say a big thank you for the faith, for the recognition. I can’t believe the fencing of the Ka’abah is in Green-White-Green, which reminds us of the Nigerian identity.
“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.
“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.
“It is an honour that I enjoyed, and it is gracious of them to have allowed me to enter inside the Ka’abah. This is history,” he said.
The President disclosed that he prayed for wisdom and resilience to discharge the responsibilities of his office, recalling that he had made a similar supplication before the 2023 presidential election and returned to fulfil his promise of thanksgiving.
“Well, I asked for wisdom and resilience to continue to serve the people. I know that prayer has been granted. Before the 2023 election, I did the same thing. I asked Allah to bless my Umrah then, and He did.
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“And I promised that I would come back to thank Him,” he said.
Drawing from Surah Aal-Imran, Verse 26 of the Holy Qur’an, Tinubu said political power and authority ultimately belonged to Almighty Allah, who could give and withdraw them at will.
He stressed that leadership was a trust that must be exercised with humility and responsibility, and in the interest of the people, noting that no political position was permanent.
“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’,” the President said.
He described his emergence as Nigeria’s President and Commander-in-Chief as a special divine favour, which he said must be reciprocated through dedicated service to the country.
“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.
On the economy, Tinubu expressed optimism about the country’s economic direction, describing the foundation laid by his administration as solid and Nigeria’s emergence from a difficult period as encouraging.
“The foundation is solid, and the economy has come out of the dark tunnel. This is inspiring,” he said.
He, however, stressed that sustaining national development required deliberate investment in the younger generation, warning that leaders must be conscious of the legacy they would leave behind.
“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,” he added.
The President assured Nigerians that his administration would remain focused on strengthening the economy, expanding opportunities for young people and creating an environment where citizens could realise their potential.
Also expressing gratitude over the spiritual experience were the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate; and the governors of Borno, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kaduna, Yobe and Kwara states.
Captains of industry, including the Chairman of BUA Group, Abdulsamad Isiaka Rabiu, and the Chief Executive Officer of Oando, Wale Tinubu, also expressed appreciation to Allah and the President for the opportunity to enter the Holy Ka’abah and pray alongside him.
