By Banji Ayoola
The President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who clocks 71 today, has urged his countrymen and women to mark his 71st birthday with special prayers for the country, as he canceled this year’s annual colloquium of the anniversary.
While disclosing the new turn, his spokesman, Tunde Rahman, said: “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.”
All the same, messages felicitating the president-elect on his special day have continued to pour in.
They include those from President Muhammadu Buhari and his wife, Aisha; Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo and his wife Dolapo; Vice president-elect, Kashim Shettima and his wife, Nana; House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila; Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his wife, Ibijoke; his counterparts for Ondo, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu; and Niger States, Abubakar Sani Bello; among others.
He prays for the well-being of Tinubu and his family, as he joins members of the president-elect’s family, especially his wife, Oluremi, business partners, and political associates in celebrating the remarkable age, heralded with many years of experience and achievements in the private and public sectors, which prepared him for the historic win on February 25, 2023.
The president believes that Asiwaju’s warmth, friendliness, and generosity have set the pace for a network of friends, home and abroad, that will shape his presidency with the requisite expertise to guide the economy and consolidate the investments of past leaders, particularly in people-first development and infrastructure.
As the president-elect prepares to take over the mantle of leadership at 71, President Buhari affirms that his political pedigree from the 90s, active role in party politics, being elected senator and later governor of Lagos State, and diligent involvement in the structure of leadership at the Executive and Legislative levels for many years, will serve as assets for good and effective governance.
On his own, the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, conveyed his birthday wishes in a statement he signed on Wednesday in Abuja, praying the Lord to grant the president-elect more wisdom and strength in the years to come.
He wrote: “Dolly (Dolapo) and I rejoice with you, the family, friends, and associates on this occasion of your 71st birthday.
“We thank the Almighty God for His grace and enablement upon your life that has made possible your many years of service and contributions to Lagos State, our nation, and our great party.
“This occasion of your 71st birthday is unique, as it occurs as you prepare to take on your most significant assignment yet as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“All we can offer you in this solemn period is a prayer; that the Lord will help you in this assignment and give you good health, strength, and wisdom to serve our people and our nation excellently.
“Happy Birthday! God bless you.”
Also, the House of Representatives speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, praised the President-elect on his 71st birthday, saying that Tinubu has demonstrated democratic credentials over the years and ought to be celebrated by well-meaning Nigerians.
According to him, the president-elect 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.
He said the president-elect is a dogged and determined fighter for a just society even as he described Tinubu as “a man of the people.”
Thrilled that Tinubu has finally fulfilled his ambition of becoming Nigeria’s president, he said his victory at the presidential and National Assembly elections held on February 25 was a well-deserved birthday gift.
He noted that his emergence as president was against all odds, stressing that the Almighty indeed favoured and granted him victory.
Gbajabiamila said as one of those who have been in Tinubu’s school of politics and mentoring, he was not surprised that the president-elect remained focused and unwavering throughout the presidential contest.
“I celebrate our president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on his 71st birthday. Tinubu has proved over the years to be an uncommon democrat who always works assiduously for Nigeria to be great.
“We all thank God for the life of the president-elect, and we pray that He continues to grant him good health to achieve his desire for a better Nigeria.
“The story of Asiwaju is one that every Nigerian, young and old, should study carefully and learn from. Here is a man that worked against all odds to emerge as the presidential candidate of the APC. Even more daunting was his emergence as President-elect elect.
“Trust Asiwaju, he weathered the storm and scaled through all the hurdles to emerge victorious. That is the kind of man Nigeria is lucky to have at this time. For those of us that have known Asiwaju for decades, we are sure he would not disappoint Nigeria and Nigerians.”
Gbajabiamila added that Tinubu has carved a niche for himself not only in Nigeria and Africa but also in the entire world, noting that most developing democracies now have the task of learning from the president-elect’s emergence.
He said under Tinubu, Nigeria would witness unprecedented good governance as proven in Lagos, which is the commercial nerve centre of Africa.
On his part, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, congratulated the President-elect in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile.
He showered praises on Tinubu, describing him as an “enigmatic master strategist whose democratic credentials are scholarly materials for study in political economy.”
A newly re-elected Sanwo-Olu added that his emergence as president-elect is a reward for his hard work and contributions to the country.
His words: “At 71, Asiwaju has attained the age, that what matters most is the legacy to bequeath to people after him and God has blessed him with a great opportunity to take the mantle of leadership of Nigeria, and chart the right path of progress for the people of Nigeria.
“Asiwaju Tinubu has donated the greater part of his adult life for service to humanity, Lagos State, and Nigeria. His many contributions to democracy and good governance have helped the political and democratic trajectory of Nigeria since 1999.
“It is also on record that he stood firmly on the side of the Nigerian people, even at the risk of losing his life and personal belongings during the dark days of the military junta.
“He fought tirelessly with other progressives and pro-democracy activists during the annulment of the June 12 struggle to end the military interregnum and enthroned democracy, which we all enjoy today.”
Sanwo-Olu added that Nigeria is blessed to have Tinubu as her next president, who has donated the greater part of his life in service.
He said, “In the political history of Nigeria, Asiwaju will forever be a reference point. He has made and redefined the socio-political history of Nigeria by contributing his quota to the survival of democracy and uninterrupted civilian administration in Nigeria for 24 years. His emergence as President-elect is a reward for his hard work and contributions to the country based on his political astuteness, courage, and sagacity.
“As he is celebrating his 71st birthday, we wish him all the love and care in the world and pray that God will give him wisdom, knowledge, sound health, and good things that he will use to steer the ship of the country and navigate Nigeria’s development to the desired place as he becomes Nigeria’s President from May 29, 2023.
“On behalf of my darling wife, Ibijoke, and the good people of Lagos State, as well as leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), I wish the nation’s President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, happy 71st birthday.”
Also, Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu said that 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, Akeredolu stressed that Tinubu has, over the years, proven his undying dedication to serving the nation.
The statement was titled: “You’re The Needed Ideological Tool For Development, Akeredolu Celebrates President-Elect, Tinubu @71”.
The governor described Tinubu as “a truly inspirational figure and the most innovative person in the nation’s political history.”
According to him, Tinubu has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the service of the country.
Akeredolu said: “We welcome the liberating realization that with the right leader; with optimism, integrity, and a plan, we can kickstart development and be on the path to hyper modernity.
“You’ve walked this democratic Path with honour as a political giant with an enviably infectious positive impact and total commitment to the ethos and tenets of democracy. Your love for Nigeria and Nigerians has continually fired your passion for service.
“As you prepare to mount the saddle, you deserve all the support required of all patriots. Your rich experience as a former Senator and Governor, as well as your roles in nurturing and sustaining our democratic transition, combined with your depth in knowledge and understanding of the Nigerian situation, will be an immeasurable asset to the people of the country.
“You’ve marked phenomenal moments in both your career and politics. Your unswerving demonstrated love for providing a ladder of choices to promising leaders and investment in human capital placed you as the much-needed ideological tool for the development of our country.
“On the auspicious occasion of your birthday, we pray God to grant you more wisdom, strength, knowledge, and sound health to continue to serve humanity and your country.”
Happy Birthday, our President-Elect.”
Also, Niger State governor and Chairman, of the 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.
