I’ll apologize later - Tinubu to newspapers over cancellation of birthday celebration

President Bola Tinubu has said he will apologise to the newspapers following the cancellation of his birthday celebration this year.

On March 29, 2024, President Tinubu would turn 72-years-old. However, he has announced that there would be no celebration on that day.

He charged well wishers to donate money to the orphanages and aged rather than embark in any ceremonious activity. This he said is as a result of the hardship in the country.

He also hinted at apologizing to the newspapers who were expecting to make money from the sale of adverts for his birthday.

In a post shared on X by the Special Adviser Information and Strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga said;

“President Tinubu explained further today why he cancelled any elaborate birthday for himself on 29 March. He restated that such ceremony will be out of tune with the national mood. Besides, he didn’t want government agencies to use public money to place congratulatory adverts for him. He restated that he would rather want well wishers give the money to orphanages or old people’s homes. He acknowledged that newspapers who were expecting to make money may have been hurt. “I know they will be angry with me. But I will apologize to them later.”

The earlier statement on the cancellation of Tinubu’s 72nd birthday celebration read;

STATE HOUSE PRESS STATEMENT

PRESIDENT TINUBU'S 72nd BIRTHDAY ON MARCH 29, 2024

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.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy

March 24, 2024