Umar Idris Shuaibu, Kano
The immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Chairperson of the Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, is currently in the Saudi Arabia observing the Lesser Hajj (Umrah) during the holy month of Ramadan.
Dr. Ganduje, a former two-term governor of Kano State, travelled to the holy land alongside his wife, Hafsat Abdullahi Ganduje, to participate in the spiritual exercise.
The Ramadan Umrah attracts millions of Muslims from across the world who converge on the holy cities of Mecca and Medina to perform the sacred rites while engaging in prayers, reflection, and other acts of devotion.
For Ganduje, whose public service career spans decades in political leadership and governance, the pilgrimage provides an opportunity for spiritual reflection away from the demands of public life.
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Although far from Nigeria, his presence in the holy land has drawn attention among associates and supporters who regard the pilgrimage as consistent with his long-standing public identification with religious and community values.
Prior to embarking on the journey, Ganduje remained active in public engagements. In recent weeks, he visited the scene of a fire outbreak at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos in his capacity as Chairman of the Board of FAAN.
He also attended several community and religious events in Abuja and Kano, including mosque commissioning ceremonies and visits to Islamic centres supported by the Ganduje Foundation.
Others accompanying him on the pilgrimage include his former Special Adviser on Protocol, Idris Dawakin Tofa, his son and Executive Director Technical, Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, popularly known as Engr. Abba Ganduje, and his Aide-de-Camp, Malam Gide.
As he joins millions of Muslims observing acts of worship during the sacred month of Ramadan, well-wishers across Nigeria have continued to offer prayers for a spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage and a safe return home.
Umar Idris Shuaibu writes from Kano.