The Arewa Think Tank group on Sunday held a special prayer session to celebrate the 74th birthday of President Bola Tinubu and for his victory in the 2027 general elections.

The event, held at Arewa House in Kaduna, brought together religious leaders, political stakeholders, and members of the group, who offered prayers for the president and the country.

The group’s convener, Muhammad Yakubu, said the gathering aimed to seek divine guidance for the nation and its leadership, noting that prayers were necessary given the country’s current challenges.

Mr Yakubu described Mr Tinubu as a courageous leader who had taken bold decisions to address long-standing economic issues.

“At 74, the president is confronting realities others avoided, and implementing reforms that are critical to Nigeria’s future,” he said.

He said critics of the administration were individuals who had opportunities to lead in the past but failed to deliver, adding that Nigerians were now more discerning.

According to him, key reforms by the administration include the fuel subsidy removal and the unification of the foreign exchange system. He described them as necessary steps toward economic recovery.

“Reforms are not always comfortable, but they are essential for sustainable growth. Anyone promising easy solutions without sacrifice is not being sincere,” he said.

Mr Yakubu urged Nigerians, particularly those in the northern region, to support the administration’s policies and remain united, irrespective of ethnic or religious differences.

He also called on opposition figures to focus on presenting their achievements rather than engaging in rhetoric.

While speaking, the Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani, commended the organisers, saying prayers for leaders and the country were needed to attain peace and development.

Mr Sani, represented by his special adviser on stakeholders’ relations, Abdul Ishaq, said the Kaduna State government had invested heavily in infrastructure, youth development, and rural transformation.

Similarly, the former governor of Zamfara, Abdulaziz Yari, congratulated Mr Tinubu on his birthday, saying such prayers were necessary for Nigerian leaders and the country at large.

Represented by Senator Tijjani Yahya, Mr Yari appealed to Nigerians to exercise more patience as Mr Tinubu’s administration was on the path of reforming the country.

“Yes, people may suffer for a while, but at the end, we will all smile when he finishes rebuilding the country; let’s give him the chance to finish his work,” Mr Yari advised. 

(NAN)