President Bola Tinubu has chosen to keep his 72nd birthday celebrations understated due to the difficult circumstances currently confronting the nation.
This Friday, the President will be commemorating his 72nd birthday.
However, he has stressed to his associates the importance of abstaining from organizing any events and using the moment to reflect and recommit to the collective task of nation-building.
In a statement released on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President pointed out the recent deaths of Army and police personnel in Delta State, along with various security breaches, as significant factors adding to the prevailing sense of gloom in the country.
The statement read, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will turn 72 on Friday, March 29, 2024. The day will be another important milestone in his life as a leader and a statesman.
“During an auspicious occasion as this, it is customary for family members, friends and associates to celebrate him in different ways.
“As the leader of our country, President Tinubu in deference to these 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.
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“President Tinubu 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.
“According to him, 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.”
It is the first occasion Tinubu will commemorate his birthday as President, having taken the oath of office on May 29, 2023.
As customary during his birthday observance, the Nigerian leader typically orchestrates a colloquium, serving as a forum for deliberations on state issues.
However, the colloquium hasn’t been held since 2021.
Acknowledging the tragedy of the Kaduna train attack, Tinubu decided to cancel the colloquium in 2022, and for his 71st birthday the following year, he opted to lead prayers for the country.