Abuja: President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, on his 70th birthday, describing him as a stabilising voice, bridge-builder across faiths and communities. Tinubu said the Sultan, who is also President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), had remained a moral compass and strong advocate for peace, unity and national cohesion. The President conveyed the commendation in a statement personally signed by him on Monday in Abuja to mark the Sultan’s milestone birthday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Tinubu expressed his admiration for the Sultan’s nearly two decades on the throne, highlighting his service, wisdom, and grace. The President congratulated the Sultan and his subjects in Sokoto and beyond on behalf of himself, First Lady Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, and the government and people of Nigeria. Tinubu noted that the Sultan had embodied the finest traditions of the Sokoto Caliphate through scholarship, humility, and an unwavering commitment to peace.
Tinubu praised the Sultan as a leader who speaks truth with compassion, counsels patience without weakness, and champions unity without compromising conviction. He emphasized how the Sultanate has promoted education, interfaith dialogue, and humanitarian service under the Sultan’s guidance. The President acknowledged the Sultan’s advocacy for peaceful coexistence, the girl-child, and the dignity of every Nigerian, reflecting the shared values of the nation.
The President described the Sultan as a towering figure of conscience and counsel, whose palace has become a sanctuary for dialogue and whose words carry weight across the country. Tinubu highlighted the Sultan’s role in comforting the nation during moments of grief, uniting it in times of division, and reminding it of common humanity and destiny. Tinubu deeply valued the Sultan’s partnership in nation-building, particularly his contributions to security, community development, and the spiritual well-being of Nigerians.
The President concluded his message by praying for the Sultan’s continued health, strength, and service to his family, the Sokoto Caliphate, and Nigeria. Tinubu expressed hope that the new decade of the Sultan’s life would be his most rewarding yet, reaffirming the nation’s need for the wisdom he generously offers.