Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, bought the front pages of a slew of national newspapers to celebrate the 72nd birthday of President Bola Tinubu.
Grassroots Parrot recalls that President Bola Tinubu has opted for a low key 72nd birthday celebrations as a result of the challenging times the country is facing.
The President turns 72 today (Friday).
He, however, urged his associates not to organise any events but instead use the opportunity to reflect and re-dedicate themselves to the task of building.
The President, in a statement on Sunday by his Special Adviser, Media and Information Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, noted the recent killings of some Army and police personnel in Delta State as well as several security breaches as events that have contributed to the gloomy mood of the nation.
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The statement read, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will turn 72 on Friday, March 29, 2024. The day will be another important milestone in his life as a leader and a statesman.
“During an auspicious occasion as this, it is customary for family members, friends and associates to celebrate him in different ways.
“As the leader of our country, President Tinubu in deference to this challenging times will not host any birthday event and does not want any of his associates and numerous well-wishers across the country to organise any celebratory event on his behalf or in his name.
“President Tinubu appreciates the honour of being the leader of Africa’s leading nation at this time and he is working very hard to make life better for the generality of our people.
“According to him, because of the present mood of the nation and recent killing of the officers and men of our Army and Police in Delta State and recent spate of security breaches by criminal elements in different parts of Nigeria, there should be no form of birthday event and placing of birthday goodwill advertorial messages in newspapers. Goodwill messages should not be placed on radio and television stations too.”
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But Tompolo, the chairperson of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, a firm that is tackling crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region, defied the order.
However, on Friday, Tompolo placed birthday messages for Tinubu on the frontpages of at least eight national dailies.
Grassroots Parrot gathers that a frontpage newspaper advert costs an average of N10 million.
This is not the first time the Tantita boss will use the frontpage of dailies to celebrate Tinubu.
In October 2023, after the Supreme Court affirmed Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 presidential election, Tompolo bought the frontpages of several dailies to celebrate the judgment.
See pictures of the frontpages of today’s dailies below.
