Tinubu celebrates Dele Alake at 70, hails minister’s loyalty, courage

President Bola Tinubu has celebrated the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, on his 70th birthday, describing him as a “forthright, upright, loyal, and committed ally.”

In a tribute issued on Monday ahead of Alake’s birthday on October 6, Tinubu said his several decades of close relationship with the minister had shown him to be a dependable and principled associate.

“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,” Tinubu said.

He added: “He is straight and unequivocal. You always know where he stands on issues.”

The President congratulated Alake on attaining 70, describing the milestone as an opportunity to celebrate his contributions to journalism and public service.

“On the occasion of his 70th birthday on October 6, I rejoice with him, his immediate family, friends, and associates. I celebrate with him for the grace of joining the Club of Septuagenarians,” he said.

Tinubu praised Alake’s record of hard work, excellence and commitment to delivering results, saying the pursuit of equity and social justice had remained central to his endeavours.

The President also recalled Alake’s career in journalism, where he said the minister established himself as a frontline journalist and editor who used his pen to challenge social and political injustices.

“During Nigeria’s darkest hours under military rule, he was a journalist of conscience who fought on the front lines against dictatorship and abuse of human rights, and for the restoration of democratic governance,” Tinubu said.