HARDSHIP: Tinubu Bows To Pressure, Cancels 72nd Birthday Celebration

The 72^nd birthday celebration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu scheduled for Friday, March 29^th has been canceled.

The presidential birthday bash was reportedly canceled due to the prevailing economic hardship occasioned by policy reforms of Tinubu’s government.

According to the statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu will clock 72 years on March 29.

But the President has advised his associates and well-wishers who intend to celebrate with him on that day to channel their donations to charity organizations.

The president, in the statement, banned any form of advertorial placement in newspapers, radio, or television stations, as he said that he would use the day to reflect and re-dedicate himself to the task of building a more stable, more secure, virile, prosperous and united Nigeria.

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 these 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.

“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 the recent killing of the officers and men of our Army and Police in Delta State and the 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 either.

“President Tinubu enjoins friends and associates who may wish to place goodwill advertorials to kindly donate the money to charity organizations 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.”