By Franklin Adole
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has paid a deeply personal tribute to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, describing him as his “confidant, brother, and buddy” as the minister marks his 70th birthday on October 6.
In a statement personally signed by him on Monday, Tinubu drew on several decades of close political and personal association with Alake, portraying the minister as one of his most trusted and dependable allies.
“Happy birthday and many happy returns to my confidante, brother, and buddy,” the President declared.
Tinubu said that through their decades-long relationship, Alake had remained steadfast, forthright, and loyal, with an uncommon willingness to make his position clear regardless of circumstances.
“In my several decades of very close relationship with Dele Alake, I have known him as a steady hand, a forthright, upright, loyal, and committed ally,” the President said.
“He is straight and unequivocal. You always know where he stands on issues.”
Tinubu said he was delighted to celebrate Alake’s entry into the “Club of Septuagenarians,” joining his family, friends, and associates in thanking God for his life and accomplishments.
The President traced Alake’s journey through journalism, pro-democracy activism, public communication, and government, describing hard work, excellence, and a passion for results as defining features of his career.
He recalled Alake’s years as a frontline journalist and editor, saying he deployed his pen courageously against the country’s social and political problems.
According to Tinubu, Alake distinguished himself particularly during the military era as a “journalist of conscience” who stood against dictatorship and human rights abuses and fought for the restoration of democratic rule.
The President also recalled their years together in the Lagos State Government, where Alake served for eight years as Commissioner for Information and Strategy during Tinubu’s tenure as governor.
Tinubu said Alake transformed government information management in Lagos and established himself as a formidable practitioner of political strategy and public communication.
The President said Alake’s ability to venture into unfamiliar territory and still deliver results had again become evident in his current assignment as Minister of Solid Minerals Development.
He noted that the minister’s performance had attracted attention beyond Nigeria, culminating in the confidence reposed in him by his African counterparts as Chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group.
Tinubu described the quest for equity and social justice as a thread running through Alake’s professional and public life.
He prayed that God would grant the minister many more years in good health and strength to continue serving the country and humanity.
“On his 70th birthday celebration, my prayer for Dele is that the Almighty grant him more years in good health as he continues his service to God, country, and humanity in general,” Tinubu said.
Discover more from Keeping Them Honest
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.