A gathering of high-profile leaders and intellectuals is set to take place this week at the official launch of two new books by celebrated poet, journalist, and scholar, Dr. Tunde Olusunle.
Leading the event is the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, CON, who will be accompanied by several governors, including Usman Ododo (Kogi), Kefas Agbu (Taraba), Ahmad Aliyu-Sokoto (Sokoto), and Dauda Lawal, PhD (Zamfara).
The event is scheduled for Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at 2 p.m. at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja. It will unveil two notable works: Orisirisi: Vistas on Contemporary Politics in Nigeria and Toasts, Tributes and Wreaths.
These were contained in a statement issued by Bolaji Afolabi for the
Book Launch Media Committee.
According to the Statement, Orisirisi is a substantial 470-page collection of 60 essays that critically explores Nigeria’s political landscape and pressing national issues.
Renowned columnist and former media adviser to President Bola Tinubu, Segun Ayobolu, lauded the book as an incisive exploration of Nigeria’s key challenges, from leadership failures to economic distress.
Meanwhile, Toasts, Tributes and Wreaths, a 308-page volume of 46 essays, has been hailed by Professor Omotayo Oloruntoba-Oju as a richly crafted literary piece that brings together stories of notable figures. She calls the collection “a brilliant fusion of journalism, research, and creative writing.”
Other distinguished attendees include former National Security Adviser General Aliyu Mohammed Gusau, GCON; former Minority Leader Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe; and economist and former Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, FNGE, CON.
Former governors, including Senator Gabriel Torwua Suswam, PhD, CON, and Captain Idris Ichalla Wada, will be present. They will be joined by Senator Ben Obi, CON, former Political Adviser to the President, along with Kogi parliamentarians Senators Sunday Karimi, Barrister Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, and Jibrin Isah.
The Deputy Majority Leader of the Senate, Senator Lola Ashiru, as well as Senators Osita Izunaso, Okechukwu Ezea, Austin Akobundu, Ned Nwoko, Smart Adeyemi, CON, and Dino Melaye, are also expected at the launch.
Representatives from the House of Representatives, including Leke Joseph Abejide, Chairman of the Committee on Customs, Dickson Tarkighir, and Idris Salman, will attend the event as well.
The book reviews will be delivered by Professor Gbenga Ibileye, a notable scholar of English and member of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (MNAL).
Dr. Tunde Olusunle is a respected poet, academic, and former close aide to President Olusegun Obasanjo. With three published poetry collections and multiple volumes of essays, Dr. Olusunle is a widely studied literary figure.
His professional career includes serving in various capacities within the Kogi State government and holding an academic post at the University of Abuja.