President Bola Tinubu said he would apologise to newspaper organisations for denying them the opportunity to generate revenue through celebratory advertorials on his 72nd birthday, which comes this Friday, March 29.
He admitted that his choice might have hurt newspapers.
The president explained his decision to forego an elaborate celebration or word of congratulations on his 72nd birthday in a statement that was released on X (previously known as Twitter) by his special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to him, the ceremony will not align with the current mood in the country.
“Besides, he didn’t want government agencies to use public money to place congratulatory adverts for him.
“He restated that he would rather want well-wishers to 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.” the statement reads.
Tinubu had in a statement issued by Onanuga on Sunday appealed to his family, friends, associates, and well-wishers not to host elaborate events on his birthday anniversary.
“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 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 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 organisations 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.”
