Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Downstream Petroleum, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, has appealed to Nigerians to pray for the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in navigating the country’s current economic challenges. Doguwa, who represents Doguwa/Tudun-Wada Federal Constituency of Kano State, particularly urged Northern Nigerians to support Tinubu’s administration and eventual re-election, describing it as a necessary political balance in line with Nigeria’s power rotation arrangement. According to the federal lawmaker, Tinubu remained steadfast throughout the eight-year administration of late President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that the North was morally obliged to reciprocate the gesture by supporting the South-West leader. Doguwa spoke while addressing journalists at Arafah in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, where he urged Nigerian pilgrims to pray for peace, unity and development in Nigeria.
Pilgrims Gather at Arafah
Meanwhile, thousands of Nigerian pilgrims on Tuesday joined millions of Muslims from across the world on the plains of Arafah for the spiritual climax of the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage. Arafah, regarded as the spiritual peak of Hajj, offers pilgrims the opportunity to seek forgiveness and divine mercy in fulfilment of one of Islam’s most sacred rites. Despite the scorching temperatures, pilgrims dressed in white garments gathered under tents around the plains and hills of Arafah in solemn worship and supplication.
Sermon Highlights Accountability
Delivering a sermon on the Day of Arafah, Islamic scholar, Professor Mansur Sokoto, urged Nigerian leaders to draw lessons from the farewell sermon of Prophet Muhammad, particularly on accountability and the management of public resources. Professor Sokoto reminded public office holders that those entrusted with the nation’s wealth would account for their stewardship before God, lamenting that corruption had continued to worsen poverty and hardship in Nigeria. “We have the opportunity to be on this historic plain where Allah revealed to the Prophet that He had perfected Islam for Muslims. Therefore, we must thank Almighty Allah with every part of our body through worship and obedience,” he said.
“The Prophet told his companions that their blood is sacred to one another. He established that there is no superiority between an Arab and a non-Arab. He also left behind the revelation of Allah and his practices as guidance against going astray.” According to him, the Prophet also warned against arrogance, injustice, oppression and the mismanagement of public trust. “The lessons from the Prophet’s sermon are enormous, especially the fight against corruption, which remains one of the greatest challenges destroying Nigeria today,” he added.
Professor Sokoto lamented the state of infrastructure decay, widespread poverty and growing mistrust among Nigerians despite the country’s abundant resources. “There are concerns that Nigerians are struggling to survive and cope with economic hardship despite the enormous wealth with which the country is blessed,” he stated.
