Why President Tinubu opted against celebrating 71st, 72nd birthdays

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has canceled his 72nd birthday colloquium, citing some challenges the nation faces.

In a statement, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga said the president expects well-wishers, friends and associates who may want to place goodwill advertorials to "kindly donate the money to charity organizations of their choice in his name".

The President also noted goodwill messages vis-à-vis his birthday celebration should not be placed on radio and television stations.

He said his major preoccupation at the moment as leader of the country was to make life better for all Nigerian citizens.

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

The statement from the presidency partly reads: "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."

The President's decision is similar to that taken on his 71st birthday where he asked for prayers for the country following his election as president.

“To mark his 71st birthday, President-elect Asíwájú Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed that special prayers and thanksgiving service be held on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, instead of the yearly birthday colloquium,” his spokesman Tunde Rahman said in a statement in 2023.

“The special prayers will be held in Lagos and in other parts of the country.”

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…

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