President Bola Tinubu has congratulated veteran journalist and former presidential adviser, Reuben Abati, on his 60th birthday.
The President described Abati as an accomplished public intellectual and patriotic commentator who has made immense contributions to Nigeria’s media and public discourse.
In a statement he personally signed on Friday, Tinubu commended Abati, whom he said he fondly calls “Rubi Rubi,” for his versatility and excellence across multiple fields.
“A public intellectual, author, columnist, law graduate and broadcaster, Dr Abati has distinguished himself wherever he has traversed: in the university as a student and later as a Graduate Assistant, as Chairman of the Editorial Board of The Guardian, as a writer, and presently as a television anchor.
“His insightful articles, regular interventions, and television analyses have continued to enlighten and inspire.
“I commend Dr Abati for his service to Nigeria as Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to former President Goodluck Jonathan, as well as his outstanding contributions to the media,” Tinubu said.
He praised Abati’s “insightful articles, regular interventions, and television analyses” for continuing to enlighten and inspire Nigerians.
The President added that Abati’s creativity and cross-sectoral experience have enriched national conversations on public-interest issues.
Tinubu also celebrated the launch of Abati’s three new books — Portraits: “People, Politics and Society,” “A Love Letter and Other Stories,” and “How Goodluck Jonathan Became President” — which were unveiled to mark his 60th birthday.
“I join the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), family members, and friends in celebrating this notable writer.
“I pray Almighty God grants him long life, good health, and the inspiration to continue serving the nation and humanity,” the statement read.
Born November 7, 1965, Abati is a known newspaper columnist and television anchor on Arise TV.
He was the Peoples Democratic Party’s Deputy Governorship candidate in Ogun State for the 2019 governorship election.
He is a graduate of Theatre Arts from the University of Calabar and a senior research associate with the Olusegun Obasanjo Centre for Cultural Studies and the National Open University of Nigeria.
