The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has disclosed why President Bola Tinubu assigned the portfolio to him.
Alake said Tinubu put him in charge of the ministry because of how important the sector is to economic renewal.
Alake made the disclosure on Monday while briefing newsmen after the inauguration of 45 new ministers at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Recall that many had opined that Alake’s appointment as ministers of solid minerals was a mismatch, those who share such a sentiment asserted that the ministry of information or something related would have been perfect for him.
The minister, however, said he specifically asked the President to let him oversee the ministry contrary to the general notion that he would have been better suited to a particular ministry.
Alake noted that the portfolio many touted as being best for him was not necessarily tailored for only him.
‘’I heard about that matter since the beginning of this administration when I was given the position of Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy.
‘’The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development as you know is a sensitive position in this period of economic renewal.
The administration is ready to give a new lease of life to the sector.
‘’So, that position was one that I specifically asked Mr. President to give me and he obliged.
“The ministry is key to the administration and the president wanted someone that he trusted and believed would deliver effectively,’’ Alake said.
Recall that before the President assigned portfolios to his minister’s designates there were speculations that Alake would be assigned the Information and Communication Ministry
