Follow Us on Google
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has praised veteran journalist and public administrator, Mr. Tunji Bello, as a “dependable friend, brother and long-standing ally in the progressive movement” in a rousing tribute marking his 65th birthday.
In a State House statement he personally signed, President Tinubu traced his relationship with Bello back more than three decades, describing the veteran editor-turned-public servant as a steadfast advocate for progressive ideals from the era of military rule in the 1990s to Nigeria’s current democratic dispensation.
“Only a few people truly compare to Tunji in terms of his unflinching fidelity to progressive ideals — whether as a fearless journalist with a moral conscience standing up to brutal military juntas, or as a stellar public servant committed to diligence and excellence,” the president said.
Tinubu highlighted Bello’s varied career, noting his tenure as editor of several national dailies, his service in successive Lagos State cabinets, and his current role as Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC). The president said Bello’s combination of “competence, creativity and character” made him a model public servant.
Other News
Recalling Bello’s appointment to Lagos State government in 2003, Tinubu said he removed the editor “from his editorial turf” to help tackle the city’s waste-management crisis. He credited Bello with delivering rapid and lasting reforms, saying successive governors retained him either as Environment Commissioner or as Secretary to the State Government to consolidate gains and contribute to governance reforms.
“Tunji brings to the table a unique versatility rooted in diverse competencies spanning political science, law, administration, and strategic communication,” Tinubu said, adding that Bello was “one of the most accomplished and tested top public servants of his generation in Lagos State.”
On Bello’s work at the FCCPC, Tinubu said he was the obvious choice to “recalibrate consumer advocacy” under the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and praised the agency chief for making “a great impact” within two years of assuming the role, strengthening efforts to ensure fair play in the marketplace and protect consumers.
The president concluded the tribute with personal thanks and a prayer, asking “the Almighty Allah grant him many more years in good health with renewed strength to continue to serve our people and country.”
