March 30, (THEWILL) — President Bola Tinubu on Sunday marked his 74th birthday with a directive to the Accountant-General of the Federation, AGF, to create a special account for a fund for the heroes, heroines and victims in the armed forces of the country. The fund will receive his salaries since he assumed office on May 29, 2023, as seed funding, irrespective of the insurance and welfare for members of the armed forces.
“On this my 74th birthday, I celebrate the valiant and dedicated men and women of our Armed Forces. Today, I have directed the Accountant –General of the federation to establish a special account for a fund dedicated to those who serve, those wounded in the line of duty and the families of those who have paid the ultimate price. As a personal commitment, all my salaries since assuming office will be paid into this account as seed funding, irrespective of the existing insurance and welfare schemes for members of the Armed Forces,” he said.
According to him, the fund will directly support all the brave men and women in the Armed Forces and their dependents. Promising to disclose details of the account soon, he called on governors, members of the National Assembly, the private sector and his friends and well-wishers to be prepared to donate into the fund as a matter of duty, not charity. He said, “This fund will directly support all those who lost their limbs, widows and widowers, as well as children of those who laid down their lives in service to our dear country. I call on our Governors, members of our National Assembly, the private sector, my friends and well-wishers to support this initiative. Details of the account will be made available in due course. We must never forget those who stand in harm’s way for our peace nor the sacrifices borne by their families. This is not charity, but duty and we will fulfill it.”
Meanwhile, the President has received a flood of warm congratulatory messages from a cross section of Nigerians, eulogising his leadership and describing him as a strategic leader with an abiding commitment to nation building. Those who congratulated him include state governors, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Ministers, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, the Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda. On Sunday evening, Islamic leaders organised a prayer session for him at the National Mosque in Abuja.
In their messages, the VP, Senate President, Speaker Ministers and NGF, praised the administration’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” and economic reforms. In Lagos, Governor Babajide Sanwolu marked the day with food distribution to the citizens.
At the special prayer session at the National Mosque in Abuja, which drew governors, ministers, politicians, and worshippers from across the country, the Sultan of Sokoto, represented by the Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar, alongside other prominent traditional rulers and Islamic scholars, prayed for Allah’s guidance, wisdom, good health and strength for the President as he steers the nation’s affairs.
President Tinubu arrived at the mosque a few minutes after 3:00 p.m., where he participated in the special prayers and later observed the Asr prayer with Muslim faithful before departing the venue.
The Etsu Nupe described the gathering as a solemn spiritual exercise rather than a celebration, emphasising the need for continuous prayers for national peace, unity and development.
He also appealed for government support towards the maintenance and welfare needs of the National Mosque.
Similarly, the Emir of Keffi, Chindo Yamusa, commended the President’s efforts to address economic challenges and support states, noting that interventions in salary payments and infrastructure development were already yielding benefits, particularly in Nasarawa State.
Islamic scholars from various sects across Nigeria offered prayers for the President’s well-being and for the country’s stability. The session featured the recitation of the complete Holy Qur’an 111 times by over 300 scholars, alongside special supplications for Nigeria’s progress.
Conveying the President’s appreciation, the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, thanked religious leaders, government officials and attendees for their prayers and support.
He said President Tinubu was committed to national unity and development, stressing the importance of continued prayers for the success of his administration.
The event concluded with Professor Imam Ibrahim Maqari offering a prayer for lasting peace, prosperity and stability in Nigeria.
A prayer session, organised by the Arewa Think Tank, was also held in Kaduna in honour of the President.
In attendance were former Governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Muktar Ramallan Yero and Senator Tijjani Kaura Tafida, who represented Senator Abdulaziz Yari, His Royal Highness Alhaji Mohammed Haruna, Emir of Wase; representatives of Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State; Governor Nasiru Karan Gwandu of Kebbi State and Comrade Issa Aremu, Director-General of the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies.
