TheCable

President Muhammadu Buhari has celebrated Adeolu Akande, chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), on his 56th birthday. 

In a statement signed by Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, on Friday, Buhari wished the journalist and teacher, now a public servant, many more years of service to Nigeria and humanity in good health.

He said Akande has contributed to national development in different fields such as journalism, academia and public service.

He added that the NCC chairman’s commitment and diligence on national assignments stand him as a role model for young Nigerians.

“The country appreciates your contribution to national development through the training of Nigerian youths in our tertiary institutions and your relentless advocacy for the rights and development of youths,” Buhari said.

“You remain a model worthy of emulation by the youths of Nigeria.

“The nation also notes the commitment and doggedness you have always brought to discharge national assignments.

“Your belief in the unity and oneness of Nigeria is also worthy of mention on this auspicious occasion.”

Before he was appointed NCC chairman, Akande served as the chairman of the board of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

He once worked as a lecturer at the University of Ibadan before working as a journalist at The Punch Newspapers (south-west regional editor), Sunday Tribune (deputy editor), and Omega Weekly (editor-in-chief).

He previously served as deputy chief press secretary of former vice-president Atiku Abubakar in 2001 and then special assistant for research and communication strategies to former president Olusegun Obasanjo in 2003.

Akande was also the chief of staff to late Abiola Ajimobi, ex-governor of Oyo state, in 2013.