Instead of holding his usual birthday colloquium, Bola Tinubu, the president-elect, has opted for special prayers and a thanksgiving service as he turns 71 on Wednesday.
Tunde Rahman, Tinubu’s media aide, announced that prayers would be held in Lagos and other parts of the country, including the central mosque in each of the five divisions of Lagos state.
In addition to Tinubu and his wife, senator Oluremi Tinubu, the prayers will also be offered for President Muhammadu Buhari, first lady Aisha Buhari, Vice-President-elect senator Kashim Shettima, Hajia Nana Shettima, governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, other state governors, and members of national and state houses of assembly.
Tinubu cited the holy month of Ramadan as the reason for dedicating the day to prayers and seeking God’s guidance as he prepares to take the reins of leadership. This decision follows Tinubu’s cancellation of the 2022 colloquium after an attack on a train from Abuja to Kaduna.