The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D, GCON, has extended heartfelt felicitations to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, as he marks his 73rd birthday on Saturday, March 29.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, Speaker Abbas described President Tinubu as a leader deserving of celebration, paying glowing tributes to his contributions to Nigeria’s democracy.
According to the Speaker, Nigeria is fortunate to have a democrat and patriot like President Tinubu steering the country at this critical juncture in its democratic journey. He praised the President’s vast political experience, highlighting his remarkable service at both state and federal levels across the executive and legislative arms of government.
Speaker Abbas commended President Tinubu for taking decisive actions upon assuming office, particularly the removal of the longstanding fuel subsidy, which had burdened the nation’s economy for years. He noted that this bold move, along with the floating of the Naira, has begun to yield positive results, reflecting the administration’s sincerity in economic management.
He further lauded the President for implementing people-oriented policies and programs, including the Student Loan Scheme, Consumer Credit Scheme, new national minimum wage, Local Government Autonomy, the crude-for-Naira deal, and the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery, among others.
Expressing appreciation for President Tinubu’s dedication to citizens’ welfare, Speaker Abbas highlighted the administration’s commitment to providing palliatives directly from the Federal Government and through state governors to ease economic hardship.
“Today is not just a celebration for President Tinubu and his family, but for all well-meaning Nigerians,” Speaker Abbas stated. “As a true democrat and patriot, he has shown unwavering commitment to the well-being of Nigerians and remains steadfast in his covenant to improve the country.”
Acknowledging the initial difficulties posed by some of the administration’s policies, Speaker Abbas assured that these tough but necessary decisions were already paying off. He noted the drastic reduction in food prices, the strengthening of the Naira, and notable improvements in security.
“Across all sectors, we are witnessing the resilience of our nation and the transformative impact of these courageous policies. Under President Tinubu’s resolute leadership, our security forces have significantly reduced violent crime and insurgency, ensuring greater peace and stability across the country,” he added.
The Speaker emphasized that the President’s strategic foresight has put Nigeria on a path to recovery, prosperity, and renewed national pride. Citing data from the National Bureau of Statistics, he noted that Nigeria’s GDP grew by 3.2% in the last quarter of 2024, up from 2.5% in the previous quarter, reflecting the administration’s economic reforms.
Call for Prayers and Unity
Speaker Abbas also acknowledged President Tinubu’s deep faith, noting that he chose to mark his milestone birthday with a special prayer session, emphasizing the importance of seeking divine guidance.
“I urge Nigerians to join the First Family in prayers for our leader and our beloved country,” he stated.
Reaffirming the commitment of the 10th National Assembly to collaborating with the Executive arm for the collective good of the nation, Speaker Abbas wished President Tinubu many more fruitful years in good health and service to Nigeria.
