Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has congratulated President-elect Bola Tinubu on his 71st birthday.
The vice president conveyed his felicitations in a statement he personally signed on Wednesday in Abuja.
He prayed God to grant the president-elect more wisdom and strength in the years to come.
“Dolly and I rejoice with you, the family, friends and associates on this occasion of your 71st birthday.
“We thank the Almighty God for his grace and enablement upon your life that has made possible your many years of service and contributions to Lagos State, our nation and our great party.
“This occasion of your 71st birthday is unique, as it occurs as you prepare to take on your most significant assignment yet as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“All we can offer you in this solemn period is a prayer; that the Lord will help you in this assignment and give you good health, strength and wisdom to serve our people and our nation excellently.
“Happy Birthday! God bless you,” he said.
Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had on Tuesday spoke glowingly of the President-Elect.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the President-elect, Bola Tinubu as an inimitable statesman with an unyielding quest for a freer, just and vibrant Nigeria.
This is contained in a statement by Mr Felix Morka, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, on Wednesday in Abuja to felicitate with Tinubu on his 71st birthday.
“The APC rejoices with His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, President-Elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on the auspicious occasion of his 71st birthday anniversary.
“We celebrate an inimitable statesman with an unyielding quest for a freer, just and vibrant Nigeria,” he said.
He noted that as a democrat and true progressive, Tinubu had built bridges that transcended ethnic, religious and political boundaries.
The APC scribe said the former two-term governor of Lagos State had inspired many to embrace those things that united us as one people than divided us.
He added that Tinubu’s message of Renewed Hope was heard by Nigerians who voted massively to elect him as the country’s next president in the Feb. 25 presidential election.
“We pray the Almighty God will renew your strength and commitment to demonstrably improving the living conditions of our people.
“As you mark your 71st birthday, the Sen. Abdullahi Adamu-led National Working Committee (NWC), members and stakeholders, join your well wishers, at home and abroad, in praying to God for many more years.
“Excellent health and divine wisdom in your illustrious service to our country and humanity,” Morka said.
Tinubu had earlier called for prayers and thanks-giving to mark his 71st birthday instead of the yearly birthday colloquium.
The special prayers will be held in Lagos and in other parts of the country.
The main event according to an earlier statement will hold in Lagos where special prayers will be offered at the Central Mosque and in each of the five divisions of the state.
During the prayer sessions, special prayers will be offered for the peace, unity and progress of the country and for President Muhammadu Buhari, and State Governors.
Sanwo-Olu Congratulates Tinubu at 71
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, has congratulated the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, on his 71st birthday.
Sanwo-Olu, in his congratulatory message, signed by his his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, described Tinubu, as a “visionary, consistent, loyal and enigmatic master strategist”.
He said that the President-elect’s democratic credentials were scholarly materials for study in political economy.
According to him, Nigeria is blessed to have Tinubu as its next democratically elected president from May 29, given his intellect, as well as development-focused and detribalised disposition towards governance.
He said that not many leaders in contemporary Nigeria were as detribalised as Tinubu, as his heart accommodated every section of the country.
“Asiwaju Tinubu’s large heart, accommodating and listening nature endeared him to millions of Nigerians who filed out to vote for him in the Feb. 25 presidential poll.
“On behalf of my darling wife, Ibijoke, and the good people of Lagos State, as well as leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), I wish the nation’s President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, happy 71st birthday.
“At 71, Asiwaju has attained the age that what matters most is the legacy to bequeath to people after him and God has blessed him with a great opportunity to take the mantle of leadership of Nigeria, and chart the right path of progress for the people of Nigeria.
“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.
The governor said that Tinubu fought tirelessly with other progressives and pro-democracy activists during the annulment of the June 12 struggle, to end the military interregnum and enthrone democracy, which all enjoyed today.
Sanwo-Olu said that in the political history of Nigeria, Tinubu would forever be a reference point.
He said that Tinubu had made and redefined the socio-political history of Nigeria, by contributing his quota to the survival of democracy and uninterrupted civilian administration in Nigeria for 24 years.
“His emergence as President-Elect is a reward for his hard work and contributions to the country based on his political astuteness, courage, and sagacity.
“As he is celebrating 71st birthday, we wish him all the love and care in the world and pray that God will give him wisdom, knowledge, sound health and good things that he will use to steer the ship of the country and navigate Nigeria’s development to the desired place as he becomes Nigeria’s President from May 29, 2023,” he said.
A former Commissioner for Finance under Tinubu in Lagos, Dr. Ismail Adebayo Adewusi, in a message congratulating Tinubu, said Tinubu’s leadership capacity is legendary adding that his 71 years on earth have been of immense benefit to humanity.
Adewusi, a former Postmaster General of the Federation, in a statement on Wednesday, described Tinubu as an enigma, adding that since their paths crossed about three decades ago, he had had no doubt on the fact that he would sometimes bring his experience to bear on the affairs of Nigeria.
“It is gratifying to know that one had at one time or the other worked closely with this leader who brings forth one idea after another that keep changing the landscapes in virtually every spheres of human life. Be it economy, politics, social engineering, Asiwaju Tinubu has one ace off his sleeve that will always be the game changer.
“Even after our work in Lagos state government was over officially, we have had cause to stay together dealing with one issue or the other. He is certainly a man you cannot but benefit from,” Adewusi said.