Ex-President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday extended birthday greetings to President Bola Tinubu, who turns 72 today (Friday) March 29, 2024.

Buhari commended Tinubu for “making sustained efforts to overcome the many problems of the country,” as he wished him many happy returns of the day.

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Buhari’s birthday message was conveyed in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, titled ‘Former President Buhari greets Tinubu on his 72nd birthday.’

Last Sunday, Tinubu asked well-meaning friends and family members to keep his birthday low-key.

Onanuga premised the low-key celebration on the killing of army officers and policemen in Delta State and the current spate of insecurity nationwide.

The Presidency said 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.”

Buhari, in his congratulatory message, said, “My family and I pray to God that you remain healthy and happy and continue to work for the betterment of the country. Happy birthday to you!”

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The Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau, also congratulated Tinubu, describing him as a visionary leader.

In a statement by his media aide, Ismail Mudashir, the Deputy Senate President said, “I join all Nigerians and other admirers around the world in rejoicing with a great visionary leader of our time, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Tinubu, on his 72nd birthday.

“Your Excellency, you are, indeed, an exemplary embodiment of our democratic ideals, having been among the foremost in the vanguard of the struggle for the attainment and entrenchment of democracy in our dear country.”

Barau called on Nigerians of all persuasions to pray for the country and offer their full support to President as he reset the country.

Also, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, felicitated Tinubu.

Abbas, in a congratulatory message by his media aide, Musa Krishi, described Tinubu as “a grandmaster of progressive politics.”

“Nevertheless, we can’t but express our admiration for a man who is willing and on the verge of transforming the socio-political and economic conditions of our country,” he said.

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Similarly, Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, lauded President Tinubu for his obvious pragmatic moves that are now gradually helping the economy to rebound.

Kalu, in a statement by his spokesman, Mr Levinus Nwabughiogu, saluted the resilience, courage and tact so far employed by the President to move the country forward.

He said, “President Tinubu, on behalf of my family and the good people of Bende Federal Constituency, I heartily congratulate you on your 72nd birthday. It is indeed a milestone of age.

“This milestone has no doubt seen you fight a plethora of battles for the survival of democracy and the elevation of our country to enviable heights.

“I applaud your courage, resilience, tact, determination and the pragmatic steps you are taking in the Renewed Hope Agenda to not only revive the economy but to make it healthier than you met it.”

Also, the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, congratulated Tinubu on his birthday, describing him as “a courageous, audacious, and passionate leader who is committed to the progress, growth, and development of Nigeria.”

Sanwo-Olu, in a statement  by his media aide, Gboyega Akosile, said,  “On behalf of my family, the government, the people of Lagos State,  members of the Governance Advisory Council, leaders, and members of the ruling All Progressives Congress in Lagos State, I congratulate our leader, President Bola Tinubu, on the occasion of his 72nd birthday.

“President Tinubu’s financial wizardry and economic intellect, which he put to good use as the Governor of Lagos State, have taken our dear state to a greater height. Today, Lagos is the pride of Nigeria, occupying an enviable position as the fifth largest economy in Africa.’’

Likewise, the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, described President Tinubu as a selfless leader, an advocate of peace and unity and a bridge builder who has engendered the growth of democracy in the country.

Fubara, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi,  on Thursday, recalled the role Tinubu played in the rebirth of democracy through the National Democratic Coalition during the military and how Tinubu led strong political platforms, which led to the emergence of the APC.

The statement read: “Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara,  on behalf of his wife, Lady Valerie, the government and people of Rivers State, felicitate  the 16th President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as he marks his 72nd birthday.

”The governor prayed to God Almighty to grant Mr President good health, divine enablement and grace to continue to serve the nation and humanity amid the present economic and security challenges.”

A statement  by Speaker Mudasiru Obasa’s Chief Press Secretary, Eromosele Ebhomele, said the lawmakers commended the President for deciding on low-key celebration of his birthday in consideration of the mood of the nation.

The lawmakers said it was important to celebrate the President’s achievements as former governor of Lagos State and his current strides, noting that his policies in the state had continued to put Lagos on the global map.

Obasa said, “When Asiwaju Tinubu became governor, we all know how much Lagos was earning. He successfully moved the revenue of the state from N600m to over N8bn in 2007. He also set in motion strategies for the upward progression of the revenue generation.

“This is not just about his birthday. It is a celebration of Lagos and where his policies have carried us. The Lagos Red Line rail project was unveiled recently and Governor Sanwo-Olu reiterated that the achievement can be attributed to Asiwaju who created the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority while he was governor.”

PUNCH