Dele Alake, the minister of solid minerals, has provided insights into why his appointment caused a stir among the ministers appointed by President Bola Tinubu.
He acknowledged that many people expected that the president would make him the minister of information due to his background, expertise, and track record in perception and information management.
According to him the president decided to shock everyone.
The minister said this on Monday, August 21, in Abuja at his assumption to office as the new minister of solid minerals, adding that the sector holds immense significance for the nation’s economic growth and vitality.
He stated that President Tinubu’s decision to appoint him to this ministry was based on his recognized sense of responsibility and courage to propel the agenda forward.
He said: “My portfolio has been the upset of the entire cabinet portfolio because given my antecedents, exposure, and experience in the area of perception, information management, and the likes so most people have pigeon whole me for Information and so we decided to shock everybody.
“Now if you all can sit down to analyse the global trend of economic development, you would note that the hydrocarbon that is the oil is fading out and the world is moving towards alternatives like gas, electric cars, and the rest. So what is the next economic growth factor? It is a solid mineral.
“Given the nature of this sector to our economic growth and vitality of this country which is dear to the heart of Mr President, it’s just very apt and proper for him to send me here because he knows and trusts that I have a demonstrable sense of responsibility and courage to drive the agenda, that is why I am here. We are going to drive that agenda with the full cooperation of everyone.
“In my world, where I come from, you know you are in the civil service and have your rules and regulations but in my world, there are no strictures, I have been in the civil service as a commissioner before. My modus operandi is results, I really don’t care how you get me the results as long as you use legitimate means to get the result.
“I am going to set an agenda with focus and objectives, we would get the results. Now we are not going to be allowing civil service structures and scriptures to stifle us from creativity and flourishing, what we need is attitudinal change.
“Now when a memo reaches your table, regardless of what the subject matter is, that memo must leave your table within an hour, that is the way I work and whoever doesn’t shape in, ships out.”
