President Bola Tinubu has opted for a low key 72nd birthday celebrations as a result of the challenging times the country is facing.
The President will turn 72 on Friday.
He has, however, urged his associates not to organise any events but instead use the opportunity to reflect and re-dedicate themselves to the task of building.
The President, in a statement on Sunday by his Special Adviser, Media and Information Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, noted the recent killings of some Army and police personnel in Delta State as well as several security breaches as events that have contributed to the gloomy mood of the nation.
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 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.
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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.”
This is the first time Tinubu will be marking his birthday as President having been sworn-in on May 29, 2023.
As part of his birthday celebrations, the Nigerian leader usually organises a colloquium where matters of the state are discussed.
However, the event has not held since 2021.
Tinubu, in honour of the victims of Kaduna train attack cancelled the colloquium in 2022 while also opting for prayers for the country instead for his 71st birthday in 2023.
