Going By Nation’s Current Mood, I Won’t Celebrate 72nd Birthday on Friday, Says Tinubu

* Tells friends, associates to donate to charity rather than placing goodwill messages to mark the day 

Deji Elumoye in Abuja 

President Bola Tinubu has issued an advisory to his teeming friends and well wishers ahead of his 72nd birthday on Friday, saying the recurring incidents of insecurity across the country does not warrant celebration of the day.

In a release entitled ‘President Tinubu’s 72nd Birthday on March 29, 2024’, issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on Sunday, the president said the current sad developments in the country will not allow any form of celebration on his birthday. 

According to him, because of the present mood of the nation and recent killing of the officers and men of the Nigerian 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 celebrations.

President Tinubu advised his well wishers that rather than spending a fortune to send goodwill messages in print and electronic media, such funds should be donated to charity organisations of their choice.

He emphasized that his major preoccupation at the moment as the leader of the country is how to make life better for all Nigerian citizens.

The president further said he will use the birthday to re-dedicate himself to the task of building a more stable, secure, prosperous and united Nigeria. 

The press release stated, inter alia:

“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 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. 

“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.

“President Tinubu 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.”