In this post, ksma.com.ng explores the biography, career, education and life story of Henry Dele Alake.
Henry Dele Alake is the incumbent Minister of Solid Minerals Development of the federation. He previously served as commissioner for Information and Strategy of Lagos State between1999 to 2007.
Profile Summary
Full Name: Henry Dele Alake
Date of birth: 6th October, 1956
Place of birth: Ekiti, Nigeria
Education: University of Lagos
Career: Journalist, Politician
Portfolio: Minister of Solid Minerals Development
Education
Henry Alake grew up in Surulere, Lagos where he completed his primary education at Surulere Baptist Primary school.
He moved to his hometown, Ekiti state and had his secondary education at Christ’s School, Ado Ekiti.
Prior to obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos, he attended Igbobi College and had a General Certificate of Education.
Family
Dele Alake was born on the 6th of October 1956 in Ekiti State, Nigeria.
He is married with children, his child, Olatunbosun Alake, is the Special Adviser on Innovation and Technology to the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-olu.
Career
Alake began his journalism career during his Service year as a corper at Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation (OGBC).
He later secured a job with the Lagos State Broadcasting Corporation (LSBC) as Senior Sub-Editor in which capacity he served till 1980.
While working at LSBC, he served as Current Affairs Officer and Senior Current Affairs Officer, he was later promoted to the rank of a Principal Current Affairs Officer in 1983.
He was among the pioneer founders of Lagos Television (L TV 8).
After a successful engagement in broadcast journalism, Alake switched into print media joining the Concord Press publishers of the Concord Group of Newspapers .
He was a writer and editor at the National Concord and Sunday Concord and later a columnist in the National Concord until 1989.
Following his experience in journalism, he was appointed editor of Sunday Concord and editor of the National Concord untill 1999.
Public Relations and Communications: Alake transitioned into public relations and communications, becoming well-known for his expertise in strategic communication and media relations. He served as the Managing Director of Quadrant
Political History
Alake served as the Adviser on Information to late Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola (publisher of the Concord Group of Newspapers), his employer and mentor to aid his presidential campaign and election in 1993.
M.K.O. Abiola emerged victorious in the June 12 1993 elections due to the efforts of Dele Alake during the campaign but the election was annulled.
Alake faced oppression from the dictatorial regime of General Sani Abacha for his confrontations and candour to hold the government accountable for the stolen mandate of his mentor.
Due to the pressure and threats on Alake, he went into exile to form a coalition with the likes of Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, Senator Bola Tinubu, Chief John Oyegun, Lt. Gen. Alani Akinrinade (Rtd.), and other top members of the National Democratic Coalition of Nigeria, NADECO.
In June 1999, Alake was appointed Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the Lagos State Governor, Senator Bola Tinubu.
On October 1999, Alake became the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy till 2007 when he was appointed to head the Lagos Ministry of Information, Sports and Culture.
In 2010, Dele declared his intention to contest for the senatorial seat of Ekiti Central, Ekiti state but could not continue due to the intra-party crisis of his political party at that time.
In 2014, he was appointed as the director of Media and Communication of the Buhari Campaign Organisation in preparation for President Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential ambition in the 2015 general election.
In preparation for the 2023 general election, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed him as the Director of Media and Communication of The Tinubu Campaign Council.
Dele Alake is a man of reputable character, serving in various positions and associations including being a former vice-president of the Nigerian Guild of editors.
Member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), West African Union of Journalists.
Former chairman Lagos State Broadcasting Corporation Chapel of the N.U.J.
Presently a Fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (E.N.G.E).
Dele Alake was appointed Minister of Solid Minerals Development in August 2023 by president Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Contributions to Governance: As Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Dele Alake was instrumental in implementing several innovative policies and initiatives aimed at improving governance and public perception of the Lagos State government.
Awards
Special Recognition Award from Lagos Radio Radio and Public Service Award, ECHNONEWS.
Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS) International Gold Award in the year 2000.
Net Worth
Being a successful Journalist and Politician, he is currently estimated to be worth $200,000.
