By Banji Ayoola
The president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, promised to build Nigeria that his fellow country’s people generally had been dreaming of.
In his 71st birthday special message to Nigerians, his first official statement as president-elect, he said: “Dear Nigerians, I thank all of you who have expressed your goodwill towards me on the occasion of my 71st birthday.
“I received your kind words with great pleasure and was profoundly touched by the depth of your care and support. Above all, I thank God Almighty for the life He has given me, and for all the opportunities and doors He has opened to me along the way.
“This year, in particular, I see this day as one of deep reflection. The spiritual meaning and significance of the holy month of Ramadan matter to me much more than the celebration of any individual milestone. Yet, this is my first birthday as the President-elect.
“A few weeks back, Nigerians gave me the honour of a lifetime. In exactly two months, on the 29th of May, my term in office will begin. It is a rare privilege indeed, and one that I do not take lightly and shall not squander.
“With such a privilege already granted to me, I will not go so far as to suggest I am due any birthday presents this year. I have already been given the greatest gift. A chance to lead and fulfill destiny. An opportunity to champion your aspirations and to bring about the Nigeria of your dreams.
“I will, instead, use this day as an opportunity to reiterate my commitment to the great and important task of rebuilding our nation and renewing the hope of the Nigerian people. I campaigned hard and made important promises. Those promises were not mere words; professed glibly or cynically to win support.
“They represent a bond that binds me to the task of creating a better Nigeria for the benefit of every Nigerian, whether you voted for me or not.
“I have prepared for this moment all my life, I will not fail. Henceforth, may growth, hope, peace, and compassion stand proudly and ring loudly throughout the land. May we find the right way and the good courage to turn our beloved country into a strong, just, and prosperous home for all.
“May Almighty God bless all Nigerians.”
disclosed that he cannot afford to squander his mandate as the nation’s next president because it was a dream that he spent his life perfecting.
His message came one week after his media officer, Tunde Rahman, announced that the president-elect had departed the country for a vacation in Paris, France’s capital.
Rahman noted that after a short rest in Europe, his principal may stay back to observe the Ramadan fast before heading for Umrah in Saudi Arabia.
Until his media aide cleared the air, blogs and social media platforms had been awash with news that the former governor of Lagos State was rushed abroad for medical attention.
However, in his first birthday message to Nigerians as president-elect, Tinubu reiterated that his swearing-in ceremony in two months would signify his preparation for the task ahead.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Tinubuas the winner of the February 25 presidential election after polling 8,794,726 votes to defeat Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who had the second-highest figure of 6,984,520 votes; and Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) who scored 6,101,533 votes.
