The news of the appointment of Dr Henry Dele Alake, who was the then Senior Special Adviser, SSA on Communication and Strategy to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Minister of Solid Minerals Development was received by everybody in the sector with surprise. This was not unexpected as most Nigerians thought he would likely be heading to the Ministry of information, where he has proven his mettled excellently well and based on his professional training and calling as a versatile journalist. His performances as a slick communicator and a pro- democracy activist are well documented.
The concerns of stakeholders in the sector were focused on how he would cope with the intricacies that characterize the sector and how he would navigate the sector that requires so much passion, dedication and considered not lucrative going by the size of the budget profile of the ministry compared to the heavy spending high profile ministries in the country.
Dr Alake assumed office on August 16, 2023. At his first interaction with the Ministry personnel, He came across as someone who was unfriendly, very serious, focused and extremely fixated on the assignment he has been sent to undertake. He left no one in doubt that he was determined to deliver on President Tinubu’s agenda for the sector. Most individuals in the ministry left that briefing that day with trepidation and anxiety about what is to come. The Minister visited the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office (the agency I head under the Ministry) on a facility and familiarization tour on Tuesday, 21st November 2023. The entire staff of the Agency were very anxious on what the outcome of the visit would be.
Against the advice of many of my colleagues and staff, I decided to lay bare all the challenges the MCO was confronted with and the steps taken to solve those challenges as I took him through the operation of the MCO. I decided against embellishing any information and provided the raw fact as it concerns my agency.
I was ready to ensure that nothing was hidden from the attention of the minister as I had suspected he would have had some information from several sources and individuals concerning the MCO. I knew he is a man that loves to hear the fact and no embellishment, so, I gave him all the facts even when I knew some of those facts could portray MCO in bad light, but they were the facts, nevertheless.
That visit defined our working relationship I have now come to realize that behind that very serious looking gaze is a mind determined to achieve defined goals hastily and put down his imprimatur on the sector. He is so laser focused at achieving his stated objectives for the sector that you may think he has been in the sector for that long. He is a very positive individual that always emphasize the need to learn how to relate with whoever. as we are all Nigerians, and that we will not import people from elsewhere to achieve our national developmental goals.He has channeled his public speaking gift into attracting the needed attention to the sector. His oratory prowess has been deployed in showcasing the possibilities of the Nigerian minerals and mining space. Even as he continues to understand the nuances of the sector, he has not shied away from engaging whoever that cares to listen about what the sector has to offer.
He has become a chief marketer and promoter of the huge potentials of the Nigerian mineral and mining sector, earning him the commendation of his brother ministers from across the continent in recognition of this gift of compelling storytelling. Dr Alake’s commitment to the economic growth and overall rebirth of the mining sector in the country and beyond is unwavering. What else can I wish him but God’s grace, peace of mind and more excellence? I and the entire staff of the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office wish him long life, good health, and prayed a continuous growth from strength to strength. Happy Birthday Sir, wishing you a day filled with joy and a new year filled with more work and happiness. Engr. O. S . Nkom Director General, Mining Cadastral office that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has in him and the raison d’etre of the assignment he was deployed to the ministry to discharge.
There was no doubt that he had given himself deadlines on the deliverables of his appointment and needed the co- operation and the understanding of everyone on the job to achieve it. Within a month, he announced the Seven-Point Agenda and rolled out carrots and sticks to achieve them. Artisans reluctant to form co-operatives got a three- month deadline and those who complied were promised state support.
Source: ALAKE ON RESCUE MISSION, a publication of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, MoSMD.
