President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the 72-year-old Nigerian leader, chaired the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Monday. The meeting was held in the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, with key government officials in attendance.
Among those present were Vice President Kashim Shettima, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator George Akume, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, Head of the Federal Civil Service Folashade Yemi-Esan, ministers, and heads of government agencies.
The FEC serves as a constitutional institution where ministers discuss and endorse government policies, with the President serving as the Chairman and the Vice President as the Vice Chairman.
President Tinubu’s decision to forego birthday celebrations, as he turns 72 on March 29, 2024, was reiterated. He ordered that no celebratory events be organized on his behalf due to the current mood in the country. Instead, he urged his associates and well-wishers to donate the money they would have spent on celebrations to charity organizations. Tinubu cited the nation’s challenges and recent security breaches as reasons for his decision.