Deji Elumoye, Udora Orizu, Michael Olugbode in Abuja and Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja
President Muhammadu Buhari, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, his deputy, Hon. Idris Wase, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Kogi State counterpart, Yahaya Bello, were among the prominent Nigerians, who celebrated and rejoiced with the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, on his 71st birthday today.
The President, in a release by his Media Adviser, Femi Adesina, joined members of the President-elect’s family, especially his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, 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.
Buhari believed Tinubu’s warmth, friendliness and generosity has set the pace for a network of friends, home and abroad, that would shape his presidency with requisite expertise to guide the economy, and consolidate on the investments of past leaders, particularly, in people-first development and infrastructure.
“As the President-Elect prepares to take over mantle of leadership at 71, the President affirmed that his political pedigree from the 90’s, active role in party politics, being elected Senator and later Governor of Lagos State, and diligent involvement in structure of leadership at the Executive and Legislative levels for many years, will serve as asset for good and effective governance. President Buhari prayed for the wellbeing of Asiwaju and his family,” the statement stated.
On his part, Gbajabiamila said, Tinubu has demonstrated democratic credentials over the years and ought to be celebrated by well-meaning Nigerians, describing him a dogged and determined fighter for a just society and a man of the people.
He said he was elated that Tinubu has finally fulfilled his ambition of becoming Nigeria’s president, and his victory at the presidential and National Assembly elections held on February 25 was a well-deserved birthday gift.
Gbajabiamila said as one of those, who have been under Tinubu’s school of politics and mentoring, he was not surprised that Nigeria was lucky to have him at this time.
“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,” he said.
Wase who in a congratulatory message, described Tinubu as a selfless and patriotic leader who has fought tirelessly to instill good governance and sustain democracy in the country, enjoined Nigerians irrespective of religious inclination and party affiliation to pray for the president-elect and support his government to move the nation forward.
His words: “As president- elect, I’m confident that you will provide the needed leadership to improve our economy, create jobs, improve security, education, reform governance and fight corruption. I join other well-meaning Nigerians and millions of people across the globe to congratulate our national leader and President-elect, his Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his 71st birthday anniversary.”
The Lagos State governor described Tinubu as a “visionary, consistent, loyal and enigmatic master strategist” whose democratic credentials are scholarly materials for study in political economy.
In a congratulatory message by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, Sanwo-Olu said Nigeria was blessed to have Tinubu as her next democratically elected president from May 29, given his intellect, development-focused and detribalised disposition towards governance.
He added that not many leaders in contemporary Nigeria were as detribalised as Tinubu, saying his heart accommodates every section of the country, stressing that his large heart, accommodating and listening nature endeared him to millions of Nigerians, who filed out to vote for him in the February 25 presidential poll.
“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 said.
Also, congratulating him, Bello, in a statement described Tinubu as a man, who is renowned for uncommon wisdom, and exemplary leadership, and over the decades has made extraordinary memories and woven his own unique story into the Nigerian narrative.
“We salute you on this auspicious day for the substantial contributions you have made towards building our nation even as we confess our great excitement that with you as our president-elect, we can now look forward to your promise of Renewed Hope and Future Assured.
We are optimistic that your tenure will usher in new vistas of economic growth, security and overall good governance, for our youth and all Nigerians,” he said.
Meanwhile, a group of media professionals under the auspice of Kashim Shettima Media Support Group (KSMSG), has appealed to all Nigerians especially, all aggrieved parties to eschew bitterness and support Tinubu to ensure he hits the ground running.
In a congratulatory message on Tinubu’s 71st birthday, the group urged Nigerians to ensure that the President and Vice President-elect chat a way forward for the country.
“Indeed, it is inspiring to be among the teeming well-wishers from across the globe to celebrate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as he attains the admirable age of 71, even as he prepares to take over the mantle of leadership as Nigeria’s 16th President, though at a time Nigeria and the global economy is faced with new challenges.
“We believe strongly in Asiwaju Tinubu’s ability to assemble a team of erudite and cerebral individuals that will support his vision to deliver Nigeria from the shackles of poverty and also change the fortunes of the country for good, just as he has demonstrated same in his previous engagements as the governor of Lagos State and a Senior Staff of Exxon Mobil,” ta group of media professionals under the auspice of Kashim Shettima Media Support Group (KSMSG) the group stated.
