Media and Communications Expert, Dr Tunde Olusunle, has been named by Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, as his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity.
A press statement signed by Atiku’s Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, said the appointment took effect from December 1, 2022.
The statement described Olusunle as a scholar, author and media guru who has several decades of cognate experience in media relations.
Tunde Olusunle, who is also a Political Strategist, holds a PhD in Media Arts. He had previously obtained Bachelor’s (1985) and Master’s (1989) degrees in English, and Literature-in-English respectively, both from the University of Ilorin.
A consummate professional and intellectual over the past four decades, he has been Member at various times, of the Editorial Boards of Daily Times and Leadership. newspapers. He has also served as Chairman, People and Politics, magazine, since 2013.
He had previously functioned as Director of Information and Public Affairs, and Chief Press Secretary, to three former Governors and Administrators of Kogi State.
These include the late Prince Abubakar Audu, Colonel Paul Omeruo and the late Colonel Bzigu Lassa Afakirya. He was also a senior aide to the President, in the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR and Vice President Atiku Abubakar, GCON, between 1999 and 2007.
He has been widely published in highly rated intellectual books and journals locally and globally. He has also published three volumes of poetry, namely: Fingermarks, (1996); Rhythm Of The Mortar, (2001), and A Medley Of Echoes, (2022). He is very highly regarded by the preceding generation of Nigerian poets, notably: Niyi Osundare, Femi Osofisan and Olu Obafemi, among others, all Emeritus Professors of English, and recipients of the highest honour for academic excellence in Nigeria, the Nigerian National Order of Merit, (NNOM). He has also published and a volume of articles, On the Trail of History: A Reporter’s Notebook on Olusegun Obasanjo, (2006). He is a dedicated “Columnist” and “Guest Writer” to many newspapers, notably: The Guardian; Thisday, Daily Independent, The Cable and The Conclave, among others.
He is a Member of several professional bodies, including the: Nigerian Guild of Editors, (NGE); Association of Nigerian Authors, (ANA) and the Nigerian Union of Journalists, (NUJ). He has served, and still does as Consultant and Resource Professional with select state governments, ministries, departments and agencies, (MDAs).