President Bola Tinubu has announced the suspension of every form of merriment to celebrate his 72nd birthday which comes up on March 29th. He also advised his friends and associates to tow the same path.
Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga who made the announcement on behalf of the President via a statement he released on Sunday, said the decision is informed by the situation of the country including the recent killings of soldiers and policemen in Delta state, the spate of kidnappings and other security challenges in the country.
Onanuga added that President Tinubu 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.
“During an auspicious occasion such as this,” Onanuga wrote, “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 organize any celebratory event on his behalf or in his name.” The statement reads in part.
According to the Presidential Aide, the widespread insecurity in Nigeria calls for a sober reflection which a birthday celebration by the Chief Security of the nation, may negate.
Onanuga said: “…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.” Onanuga said
In a similar development in 2022, Tinubu, then a Presidential hopeful, cancelled his 70th birthday celebration to honour the victims of Kaduna train attack, while in 2023, the President also cancelled his 71st birthday colloquium even when personalities had already converged on the upscale Eko Hotels and Suites in Victoria Island. Tinubu however fixed a prayer event instead of the celebrations, to spiritually intercede for Nigeria.
