BREAKING: Tinubu Cancels 72nd Birthday Celebration, Gives Reason

• President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has opted not to publicly celebrate his 72nd birthday celebration as a result of the challenging times Nigeria is facing
• Tinubu, who will turn 72 on Friday, March 29, urged his associates not to organise any events but instead use the opportunity to re-dedicate themselves to the task of building
• Tinubu noted the recent killing of some soldiers and other security agents in Delta state as well as several security breaches as events that have contributed to the gloomy mood of the nation

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering governance and public journalism.

FCT, Abuja - President Bola Tinubu has cancelled his 72nd birthday colloquium and asked well-wishers to switch focus to charity organisations.

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A statement issued on Sunday afternoon, March 24, by Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu's special adviser on information and strategy, hinged the decision on the "challenging times" Nigeria is confronted with.

The president advised that goodwill messages vis-à-vis his birthday celebration should not be placed on radio and television stations, too.

Legit.ng reports that President Tinubu clocks 72 on Friday, March 29.

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.

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"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."

Tinubu's birthday celebration cancellation: Political expert reacts

Reacting to the president's decision, Sulaimon Adigun Muse, a former head of department of Political Science, Michael Otedola College of Primary Education, Epe, Lagos state, lauded Tinubu for being exemplary.

He told Legit.ng:

"It is a good one. It shows that he is a listening president. He is listening to the voice of Nigerians on the need to cut the cost of governance.

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"Number two, it shows that he (Tinubu) empathises with Nigerians on the hardship that Nigerians are going through.

"Number three is that he is showing leadership for all of us to imitate. The governors in each of the states, the local government heads, all the directors-general, and other influential elites should also emulate Tinubu."

Read more about Bola Tinubu:

• “Buy Nigerian goods”: Tinubu moves to strengthen Naira as he clampdown on crypto platforms
• Under Tinubu’s reign, Nigeria turned into killing field, says Atiku
• 'How Tinubu saved me when I was buried alive', Dokubo Asari opens up, video surfaces

Tinubu announces national honours for slain soldiers

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that President Tinubu announced that the 17 military officials who were brutally killed in Okuama, Delta state, would be given a befitting burial and national honours.

Tinubu expressed his condolences to the families of the bereaved.

Source: Legit.ng