President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, has promised to apologize to newspaper houses, over the cancellation of his 72nd birthday celebration and non-placement of adverts on newspapers.
Tinubu disclosed this on Tuesday, through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Recall that Tinubu had directed his well-wishers and associates to channel their donation to charity organisations.
He ordered that following the mood of the country, no one should place an advert on any newspaper or radio stations to celebrate his birthday.
In his words: “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.
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“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 this challenging times will not host any birthday event and does not want any of his associates and numerous well-wishers across the country to organise 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 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.
However, explaining further why he cancelled any elaborate birthday and the way newspaper houses would fell, Tinubu on Tuesday via Onanuga’s X platform promised to apologize to newspaper houses later.
His words: “He restated that such ceremony will be out of tune with the national mood. Besides, he didn’t want government agencies to use public money to place congratulatory adverts for him.Related NewsKatsina Police rescue 5 kidnap victimsNavy foils attempt to smuggle 7,443kg drugs into Nigeria48 renounce cultism in Ogun, lay down arms
“He restated that he would rather want well wishers give the money to orphanages or old people’s homes.
“He acknowledged that newspapers who were expecting to make money may have been hurt. “I know they will be angry with me. But I will apologize to them later”, he said.
Vanguard Newspaper
