Tinubu cancels 71st birthday colloquium for national prayer

Gbajabiamila, govs felicitate with president-elect

President-Elect, Bola Tinubu, has cancelled his 71st birthday colloquium and instead fixed prayers for the country, his spokesman, Tunde Rahman, disclosed yesterday.

“To mark his 71st birthday, Tinubu has directed that special prayers and thanksgiving service be held on Wednesday, March 29, instead of the yearly birthday colloquium. The special prayers will be held in Lagos and other parts of the country.

“In Lagos, the prayers will be offered at the Central Mosque in each of the five divisions in the state, including the Central Mosque, Alausa, Ikeja. Special prayers will be offered for the peace, unity and progress of Nigeria,” Rahman stated.

According to the statement, President Muhammadu Buhari and his wife, Aisha; Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi; vice president-elect, Kashim Shettima, and his wife, Nana; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, other governors as well as federal and state lawmakers will receive special prayers.

HOWEVER, House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila; Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello; and Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu have eulogised the president-elect on his 71st birthday.

According to the Speaker, Tinubu has demonstrated democratic credentials over the years and ought to be celebrated by well-meaning Nigerians. In a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, yesterday, the Speaker expressed optimism that under Tinubu as president, Nigeria would witness unprecedented good governance.

While Bello described the president-elect as a political colossus with outstanding records of achievements, Akeredolu sees him as an inspirational figure and the most innovative leader in the political history of the country.

For Gbajabiamila, the former Lagos governor is a dogged fighter for a just society and “a man of the people.”He expressed delight that Tinubu has finally fulfilled his life’s ambition of becoming Nigeria’s president, saying his victory at the presidential ballot of February 25 was a well-deserved birthday gift.

As one of those, who have been under Tinubu’s school of politics and mentoring, Gbajabiamila said he was not surprised that the president-elect remained focused and unwavering throughout the presidential contest.

The Niger governor and Chairman, North Central States Governors’ Forum (NCSGF), through his Chief Press Secretary, Mrs. Mary Noel Berje, said Tinubu has remained an icon of Nigeria’s political history considering his impact on many lives.

For the Ondo governor, the president-elect’s unfaltering determination and enthusiasm to accomplish goals are genuinely amazing and inspiring. In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, yesterday, Akeredolu stressed that Tinubu has, over the years, proven his undying dedication to serving the nation.