I will apologize later – Tinubu to Newspapers as he cancels birthday celebration

Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said he would issue an apology to media outlets and newspapers for not making any plans for his birthday come March 29, 2024.

TopNaija reports that Bola Tinubu, while addressing members of the FEC, Federal Executive Council at the Council Chambers of the Presidential villa, Abuja on Monday, made the apology statement.

The president stated that newspapers expecting to make money from advertisements may have been hurt due to his warning to family, friends and well-wishers not to mark the celebration.

“I know they will be angry with me. But I will apologize to them later”, he said.

According to him, such a birthday ceremony would be out of tune with the national mood, adding that he didn’t want government agencies to use public money to place congratulatory advertorials for him.

The President emphasized his preference for individuals to donate their money to orphanages or old people’s homes.

It is worth noting that President Tinubu, who will be 72 on March 29, 2024, has instructed that no birthday celebration be organized in light of the current atmosphere in the country.

In a statement released on Sunday, the President’s special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, conveyed the President’s request to his associates and well-wishers nationwide. The President urged them to refrain from organizing any celebratory events in his honor or using his name.

In a selfless gesture, he urged them to refrain from publishing goodwill advertorials for his birthday. Instead, he encouraged them to channel the funds towards charitable organizations of their preference, under his name.