Although President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will turn 72 on Friday March 29, 2024, he has asked well wishers not to commemorate his birthday with pomp and pageantry.
Tinubu, who spoke through his aide, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information & Strategy on Sunday, said
the day will be another important milestone in his life as a leader and a statesman.
According to the president, it is not unusual that during an auspicious occasion as this, it is customary for family members, friends and associates to celebrate him in different ways.
But as the leader of our country, President Tinubu in deference to this challenging times will not host any birthday event and does not want any of his associates and numerous well-wishers across the country to organise any celebratory event on his behalf or in his name.
Onanuga said, “The President appreciates the honour of being the leader of Africa’s leading nation at this time and he is working very hard to make life better for the generality of our people.
“Because of the present mood of the nation and recent killing of the officers and men of our Army and Police in Delta State and recent spate of security breaches by criminal elements in different parts of Nigeria, there should be no form of birthday event and placing of birthday goodwill advertorial messages in newspapers. Goodwill messages should not be placed on radio and television stations too.
“He enjoins friends and associates who may wish to place goodwill advertorials to kindly donate the money to charity organisations of their choice in his name.
“Although the President appreciates the gallantry of our armed forces in freeing our children kidnapped in Kuriga, Kaduna State and in Sokoto State, he will use the opportunity of his birthday to reflect and re-dedicate himself to the task of building a more stable, more secure, virile, prosperous and united Nigeria”.
Hardship in Nigeria: Tinubu to skip 72nd birthday celebration