Ashafa, Afenifere, Yoruba Leaders, and Lemo Extol President Tinubu on His 74th Birthday
Former Managing Director of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Gbenga Ashafa, has extended warm felicitations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the occasion of his 74th birthday, characterizing this milestone as a celebration of courage, vision, and an uncommon dedication to the Nigerian project. In a heartfelt tribute, Ashafa, who previously represented Lagos East under the All Progressives Congress (APC), emphasized that Tinubu's life story stands as a compelling testament to resilience, progressive leadership, and an enduring commitment to democratic ideals.
Ashafa's Tribute to Tinubu's Political Journey
Ashafa highlighted that the President has consistently demonstrated a rare capacity to confront national challenges with boldness and clarity of purpose. According to him, Tinubu's political journey, from the trenches of pro-democracy struggles to attaining the highest office in the land, reflects decades of sacrifice, strategic thinking, and an unwavering belief in Nigeria's unity and prosperity. "President Tinubu represents a generation of leaders that refused to surrender Nigeria's destiny to uncertainty. At every defining moment in our national history, he has stood firmly on the side of democracy, reform, and inclusive governance," Ashafa stated.
Ashafa, who also served as Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Lands during Tinubu's tenure as governor of Lagos State, commended the President's ongoing economic and institutional reforms. He described these reforms as difficult but necessary steps toward rebuilding national confidence, stabilizing the economy, and laying a sustainable foundation for future growth. He further noted that leadership often demands tough decisions, stressing that Tinubu's courage in pursuing structural reforms demonstrates statesmanship anchored on long-term national interest rather than short-term political comfort. However, he urged Nigerians to rally behind the President in the collective task of nation-building.
Afenifere and Yoruba Leaders of Thought Join in Felicitations
In a separate development, the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organization, Afenifere, has also felicitated with President Tinubu, praising his courageous approach to addressing Nigeria's challenges. Similarly, the Yoruba Leaders of Thought commended the President for the courage he has demonstrated in leading the country, even at the age of 74.
Dr. Tunde Lemo and Alaafin of Oyo's Perspectives
Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Tunde Lemo, described Tinubu as a "visionary" whose life has been defined by courage, strategic leadership, and a strong belief in the nation's potential. Meanwhile, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, characterized Tinubu's political trajectory as a "phenomenon worth studying," noting that his endurance and influence in Nigeria's Fourth Republic remain exceptional.
In a congratulatory message marking the President's 74th birthday, issued through his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the monarch stated that Tinubu stands out in a political era characterized by shifting alliances and fading influence. According to the Alaafin, while many prominent figures in the Fourth Republic have risen and fallen within short periods, Tinubu has sustained relevance and built what he described as one of the most enduring political structures in Nigeria's democratic history.
Oba Owoade described the President as a defining figure in contemporary Nigerian politics, whose impact extends beyond electoral victories to mentorship and talent development across generations of leaders. He noted that Tinubu's ability to remain politically relevant for over two decades reflects a combination of vision, structure, and strategic leadership.
