President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended warm felicitations to veteran journalist and former presidential adviser, Dr. Reuben Abati, on the occasion of his 60th birthday.
In a statement personally signed by the President on Friday, Tinubu described Abati as an accomplished public intellectual, patriotic commentator, and versatile professional whose work has significantly enriched Nigeria’s media landscape and public dialogue.
Fondly referring to him as “Rubi Rubi,” the President lauded Abati’s excellence across multiple fields — academia, journalism, authorship, and broadcasting.
“A public intellectual, author, columnist, law graduate, and broadcaster, Dr. Abati has distinguished himself wherever he has traversed — as a student and lecturer in the university, as Chairman of the Editorial Board of The Guardian, as a prolific writer, and now as a television anchor,” Tinubu said.
He praised Abati’s “insightful articles, regular interventions, and television analyses” for their enduring role in enlightening and inspiring Nigerians.
The President also commended Abati’s service to the nation as Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to former President Goodluck Jonathan, describing his creativity and cross-sectoral experience as assets that continue to enrich national conversations on critical public-interest issues.
Tinubu further 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 — unveiled as part of his 60th birthday celebration.
“I join the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), his family, friends, and admirers in celebrating this notable writer. I pray Almighty God grants him long life, good health, and continued inspiration to serve the nation and humanity,” Tinubu stated.
Born on November 7, 1965, Dr. Reuben Abati is a renowned columnist and television anchor with Arise News Channel. He holds a degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Calabar and is a Senior Research Associate at the Olusegun Obasanjo Centre for Cultural Studies and the National Open University of Nigeria.
He was also the Peoples Democratic Party’s Deputy Governorship candidate in Ogun State during the 2019 elections.
