By Ishola Kayode
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake has revealed the portfolio was assigned to him based on the deep trust President Bola Tinubu reposed on him.
Considerable speculations had pegged Alake for the information/communications portfolio but he disclosed on Monday why he landed the Solid Minerals Ministry while briefing newsmen after the inauguration of 45 new ministers at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He further disclosed that the sensitive position of the sector to economic renewal in addition to the fact that he also specifically asked the President to assign the ministry to him were key factors that wonbthe day for him.
His words: ‘’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.”