Presidential spokesman Sunday Dare on Saturday celebrated his 60th birthday in a colourful ceremony that brought together political allies, family and cultural dignitaries in the nation’s capital, Abuja.
Guests filed into the Les Angeles Event Centre at Kado under vibrant decorations that echoed aesthetic flair—bright fabrics, patterned textiles and traditional beadwork.
Dare and his wife arrived in coordinated Yoruba attire, drawing attention for their sharply tailored agbada and iro-and-buba ensembles, respectively.
The couple’s sartorial choices reflected the event’s blend of personal celebration and cultural pride.
NewsQuest reports that the walls and stands at the venue bore inscriptions describing Dare—who serves as Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication to President Bola Tinubu – as “a man helped by God.”
Guests also stopped to read other messages such as “Celebrating Chief Sunday A. Dare at 60 — a life worth celebrating, a legacy that inspires generations.”
Speakers at the gathering offered a mix of personal tribute and political acknowledgment.
Several guests praised Dare’s public-service career, highlighting his long record in media and government before his current role overseeing communications, youth and sports affairs.
As Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Dare presided over initiatives aimed at expanding grassroots sports programmes and improving Nigeria’s competitive performance abroad.
President Tinubu, in remarks released Friday ahead of the weekend festivities, described Dare as a “long-time dependable ally.”
The President’s statement portrayed Dare not only as a colleague but as a steady presence within the political circles that support his administration.
The endorsement from the presidency added a formal note to the private celebrations.
Vice President Kashim Shettima was represented at the birthday ceremony by his Special Adviser on Special Duties Dr. Aliyu Moddibo- a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dr. Dele Alake who served as reviewer of a book titled; One Thousand & Ninety Five Days” published by Dare and featured at the event – said the book spanned three decades of his journalism career.
“Dare has called us for a deeper reflection about Nigeria – in his book on his 60th birthday,” Alake said at the event.
Among the attendees at the Saturday bash were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume, Olusegun Osoba who represented the chairman of the occasion -Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, lawmakers, business leaders, cultural figures and members of the diplomatic corps.
Akume raised a special toast in honour of Dare in a remark about the new book, which moved the audience.
“The prose is fantastic. He has captured what the President has been able to do. It’s a record,” SGF Akume said of the new book.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Dr. Benjamin Kalu were also among the special guests. Both leaders praised the presidential aide for his loyalty to the President in over three decades of friendship.
Goodwill messages at the event traced Dare’s professional milestones while recounting personal anecdotes, and a short multimedia presentation recapped highlights from his six-decade life—from his upbringing in Southwestern Nigeria to his ascent in journalism and public service.
Performances by the praise-and-worship band, traditional drummers and contemporary musicians punctuated the programme, reinforcing the cultural motifs on display throughout the evening.
