Yousef Bin Mohammed Al-Balawi, Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Nigeria, says the gift presented to President Bola Tinubu before departing for the lesser Hajj is a personal gift.

He said that it was not presented on behalf of the Crown Prince of Saudi. Mohammed bin Salman, contrary to some media report.

This is contained in a statement cited by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

‘’I would like to clarify that the gift I presented to Mr. President was a personal gift from me, and was not presented on behalf of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

‘’I merely mentioned that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince wear white bishts when attending Friday prayers.’’

The bisht is a traditional, flowing men’s outer cloak worn across the Arab world.

Tinubu departed Abuja on Thursday for Makkah, Saudi Arabia, to perform the lesser Hajj and offer prayers for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability and continued progress.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga on Wednesday in a statement said the visit would provide the President an opportunity for spiritual reflection and devotion.

Tinubu, who has arrived Makkah, was seen off at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja by dignitaries including state governors, government official and the Saudi ambassador.(NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz