Deji Elumoye in Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has paid high tribute to Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, on his 79th birthday.
Tinubu, in a statement, yesterday, described the revered spiritual leader as a stabilising voice in times of turbulence, a bridge-builder across faiths and communities, and a moral compass for the entire nation.
He said the President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs remained a towering figure of conscience and counsel, a leader who spoke truth with compassion, and counselled patience without weakness.
The president, in the nine-paragraph release, stated, “Today, I join millions of Nigerians in celebrating a remarkable milestone for a remarkable person: His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, on his 70th birthday.
“Your Eminence, on this day I offer my warmest congratulations to you and your teeming subjects in Sokoto and beyond, on behalf of myself, the First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and the government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Your seventy years are a testament to a life lived in service, wisdom, and grace. For nearly two decades on the throne of your forebears, you have embodied the finest traditions of the Sokoto Caliphate: scholarship, humility, and an unwavering commitment to peace.”
Tinubu stated regarding the sultan, “You have been a stabilising voice in times of turbulence, a bridge-builder across faiths and communities, and a moral compass not only for our Muslim ummah, but for our entire nation.
“I have come to know you as a leader who speaks truth with compassion, who counsels patience without weakness, and who champions unity without compromising conviction.
“Under your guidance, the Sultanate has continued to promote education, interfaith dialogue, and humanitarian service. Your advocacy for peaceful coexistence, for the girl-child, and for the dignity of every Nigerian reflects the very best of our shared values.”
The president added, “At 70, you remain a towering figure of conscience and counsel. Your palace in Sokoto has become a sanctuary for dialogue, and your words carry weight in every corner of this country. In moments of grief, you comfort. In moments of division, you unite. In moments of doubt, you remind us of our common humanity and our common destiny as one people under God.
“As President, I deeply value your partnership in nation-building. Your security support, community development, and the spiritual well-being of our people strengthen the fabric of our republic. Nigeria needs more of the wisdom you so generously offer.
“On this landmark birthday, I pray that Allah will continue to grant you many more years in good health, sound mind, and continued strength. May He preserve you for your family, for the Sokoto Caliphate, and for Nigeria. May your reign continue to be a source of blessing, guidance, and honour.
“Your Eminence, congratulations once again. May this new decade of your life be your most rewarding yet.”