Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, has clarified the situation regarding the portfolio he was assigned.
Speaking with NTA at the Presidential Banquet Hall immediately after his swearing-in, Mr. Alake, an accomplished newspaper editor, said, “I chose the portfolio, and Mr. President kindly agreed,” referring to the surprise that followed his non-deployment to the Information Ministry, as widely expected.
Alake acknowledged the surprise, considering his professional background and public service experience. However, he explained that, after Petroleum Resources, Solid Minerals would be a driving force for the country’s economic development in the future.
“It’s as if people have pigeonholed me, but through no fault of theirs.”
The interviewer, expressing surprise that Alake hadn’t been assigned to Information, asked if he was prepared for the role of Solid Minerals Development Minister, to which he responded enthusiastically, “Of course… I chose it.”
It’s worth recalling that Alake served as the Information and Strategy Commissioner in Lagos from 1999 to 2007 under the Tinubu administration in the State. He had previously been appointed Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication, and Strategy by the President.
Recent news reports and widespread speculation suggest brewing tension between him and the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, which allegedly led to his removal from an Aso Villa appointment and his non-deployment to the Information Ministry.