The Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, yesterday offered a powerful and personal tribute to President Bola Tinubu, acknowledging him as her “knight in shining armour,” as the President marks his 73rd birthday today.
The declaration wasn’t merely a romantic flourish, but a testament to the strength and resilience of their partnership, a bond forged in the crucible of shared ambition and unwavering support.
Also yesterday, President Tinubu sought divine intervention to address Nigeria’s pressing challenges, including ensuring national stability, fostering peace, and safeguarding the lives and property of all citizens.
This was as good wishes from all walks of life kept pouring in reminiscing his sterling qualities in running the affairs of the country as well as taking tough political decisions as a leader.
Most of those who sent in good wishes included former President Goodluck Jonathan; Vice President Kashim Shettima; Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Jubrin Barau, the Deputy Senate President, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, his Ogun State counterpart, Dapo Abiodun, Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, Minister of Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo; Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, and the All Progressives Congress APC.
In her short message, the First Lady also celebrated the President’s courage, strength and resilience which, according to her, have contributed to their success today.
The First Lady in the Birthday message stated, inter alia: “I rejoice and thank God Almighty for His faithfulness in your life, over the years. I celebrate your courage, strength and resilience that have all contributed to who we both are today. May you live long, in divine health, joy, peace and prosperity. Happy Birthday Mr. President…My Knight in Shining Armor”.
However, the President yesterday promised to continue to work hard and pray for the peace and stability of the nation.
Speaking with newsmen at the National Mosque in Abuja after observing two Rakat Jumaat prayers to commemorate his 73rd birthday, the President said “I prayed for our country to stabilise, keep in peace and safe guard our people all the citizens.”
Asked how he feels as he prepares to mark his 73rd birthday today, Tinubu expressed joy and gratitude to Almighty Allah for safeguarding him throughout his life and for answering his prayers.
“I feel good, I feel happy and we give thanks to Almighty Allah that has protected us so far and continue to answer our prayers, accept our Ibadah that is key and very important to all of us,” he said.
The President added that he found renewed inspiration to recommit himself to serving and upholding his dedication to the Nigerian nation.
According to him: “Well, the word for all of these is hard work, you work harder, you pray harder. That is the inspiration that I got from all of these. We thank God Almighty that at this stage we are in it.”
Tinubu had earlier joined other Muslims at the National Mosque for a special prayer session for the nation to mark his birthday.
Welcoming the President into the Congregation, Imam of the National Mosque, Prof. Muhammad Kabir Adam, thanked the President and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for catering to the poor and needy during Ramadan.
On his part, the Malami Ubandoma of Ilorin Emirate, Dr. Abdulkadir Salman Solagberu, thanked Tinubu for the several donations and assistance given to Nigerians during the Ramadan fasting period.
According to him, Muslims across the country have been praying for the President to succeed in tackling all the challenges facing the country while they also uphold him in prayers of long life and good health.
The Imam quoted from the hadith of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) saying the Prophet encourages Muslims to share with the less privileged most importantly during Ramadan thereby accruing rewards that transcends beyond the present world to the hereafter.
“Muslims in the country have been praying for the country and they have been praying that may Almighty Allah give you long life good health, strength and you will continue to control all the challenges and to find solution to challenges facing millions of Nigerians across the country.
“Let us continue in all Ibadah the Tarawih and Ta’ajud, helping the less privilege and coming to the aid of the needy and coming to the aid of those who do not have.
“Mr. President Allah is with you and you will succeed”, Imam Sholagberu further said.
President used the occasion to commemorate his 73rd birthday, dedicating himself to spiritual reflection and supplication for Nigeria’s continued peace, progress, and prosperity.
