Special Prayers Mark President Tinubu’s 74th Birthday at National Mosque
Special prayers were held at the National Mosque in Abuja on Sunday to mark President Bola Tinubu’s 74th birthday. The session, led by the Sultan of Sokoto’s representative, Etsu Nupe Yahaya Abubakar, drew a significant cross-section of Nigerian traditional rulers, Islamic scholars, and political leaders.
President Tinubu attended the prayers and observed the Asr prayer afterwards, according to a statement from Presidential Spokesperson Bayo Onanuga. The gathering focused on seeking divine guidance, wisdom, good health, and strength for the president as he leads the nation. Attendees, including governors, ministers, and worshippers, also prayed collectively for peace, unity, and national development.
Etsu Nupe emphasized the spiritual solemnity of the event, stating, “This is a solemn spiritual exercise, not a celebration,” and called for continued prayers for national peace and progress. The Emir of Keffi, Chindo Yamusa, praised the president’s economic reforms, noting that interventions in salaries and infrastructure were yielding positive results in Nasarawa State.
The prayers featured extensive participation from Islamic scholars representing various sects. Over 300 scholars recited the Holy Qur’an 111 times and offered supplications for Nigeria’s stability, progress, and unity. Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin conveyed President Tinubu’s appreciation to the religious leaders and all attendees for their prayers and goodwill messages. He reaffirmed the president’s commitment to national unity and development, urging Nigerians to persist in prayers for the administration.
The gathering was concluded by Prof. Ibrahim Maqari, senior Imam of the National Mosque, with prayers for lasting peace, prosperity, and stability across Nigeria. In a similar gesture, the Arewa Think Tank organized a separate prayer session in Kaduna to honour the president’s birthday, attended by figures such as former Kaduna State Governor Muktar Yero, Sen. Tijjani Tafida, Emir of Wase Mohammed Haruna, and labour leader Issa Aremu.
These coordinated prayer events underscored a display of political and religious solidarity with President Tinubu, highlighting a collective appeal for divine support in addressing Nigeria’s socioeconomic challenges and fostering national cohesion.
