Citing the country’s poor economic situation, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe, on Thursday announced his decision to cancel the plan to celebrate his 60th anniversary which fell on September 26, 2023.
Komolafe, who described the celebration as a traditional practice in his community, said he had to direct that it should be cancelled in view of the deplorable situation of the country’s economy at the moment.
In a statement he personally signed, Komafe said his family, friends and well wishers were already getting together to roll out the drums to celebrate the birthday on Saturday, September 30, 2023.
The statement cancelling the celebration read: “My attention has been drawn to preparations by family, friends and well wishers to celebrate me this weekend on the occasion of my 60th birthday which fell on Tuesday, September 26, 2023.
“It is a common and in fact traditional, in our clime, for family and associates to celebrate their own when they achieve milestones in life.
“I deeply appreciate this gesture of my well-wishers to call together friends and associates to thank God and later sit together to wine and dine in an event planned for Saturday, September 30, 2023.
“However, given the mood of the nation at this time that people are struggling to weather the current economic storm and government is making concerted efforts to halt the slide in the country’s economy, it would amount to some level of insensitivity, especially for a public servant, to engage in elaborate ceremony of any kind, even if sponsored.
“I completely understand how this will be received by family, friends and associates, but I would plead that both the thanksgiving service and the reception planned for this Saturday be stood down.
“I have every reason to thank God for His grace upon my life and how far he has brought me; and sincerely appreciate my family, friends and associates who have shown me love and have been felicitating with me.
“I sincerely regret the inconveniences the cancellation of the two events might cause invited guests. At this time, we are all expected to make sacrifices for the sake of our nation and our people.
“May the Almighty God bless everyone and help our country’s recovery and growth efforts.”
