President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Obot Akpabio, on Friday showered praise on President Bola Tinubu as he turned 72, describing the former Lagos State governor as a “transformational leader.”
Akpabio expressed his thoughts in a birthday message to Tinubu, which was contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, in Abuja.
According to the Senate President, Tinubu is also a “developmental democrat and bridge builder.”
He noted, “As a transformational leader, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, leads from the front, and this is exemplified in his developmental strides as governor of Lagos State and since coming on stream as the Commander-in-Chief and President of Nigeria.
“As a developmental democrat, he has over the decades demonstrated uncommon commitment to nurturing and instituting a firm foundation for democracy in Nigeria.
“As a bridge builder, he has remained the greatest mobilizer of men and women in contemporary Nigeria and the politician with the most robust political machinery.”
Praying for Tinubu’s wellbeing, Akpabio added, “Mr President, as you mark 72 years today, I, on behalf of my family, the good people of my Senatorial District and Akwa Ibom state, and of course, the National Assembly, wish you good health and many more prosperous years ahead.
“Your Excellency, may God give you the strength and wisdom to re-engineer and reposition Nigeria for today and posterity.”
Tinubu had earlier advised against congratulatory messages or placement of advertorials in the media to honour his 72nd birthday, owing to the current mood of the nation.
“Because of the present mood of the nation, the recent killing of the officers and men of our Army and Police in Delta State, and the recent spate of security breaches by criminal elements in different parts of Nigeria, there should be no form of birthday event and no placing of birthday goodwill advertorial messages in newspapers.
“Goodwill messages should not be placed on radio and television stations, too. Read more,” he had said.
However, the advisory appeared to have been observed more in the breach as birthday messages flooded some media space on Friday.
