Ajuluchukwu Brown
Three years in the past, on the forty second International Convention of the Association of Nigerian Authors, (ANA), held on the Mamman Vatsa Writers Village, Mpape, Abuja, poet, journalist, scholar and media relations practitioner, Tunde Olusunle was one of many choose inductees into the Faculty of Fellows of the Association.
The honour was in recognition of his redoubtable contributions to the event of Nigerian literature, each as a artistic author and a literary scholar. Over the years, Olusunle has carved a distinct segment for himself as a prolific poet with 4 very properly acquired, voraciously studied printed volumes of poetry.
To make certain, Olusunle’s ouvre has been studied and referenced by revered literary and language students like Sunny Awhefeada, Sola Babatunde, Taofiq Alabi, Segun Ayobolu, Okon Dati Etim, Oladeji Olayemi Adenike, Chris Anyokwu, Clement Odia, and so forth.
Many of Olusunle’s contributions to literary scholarship are certainly considered groundbreaking, at the same time as his scholarly contributions have been printed in a number of journals, books and festschrisfts, regionally and internationally.
He has equally raised the bar of literary journalism and has printed 5 well-articulated compendiums of essays on topical sociopolitical points and human-interest subjects, which collectively maintain almost 300 essays.
Saturday September 26, 2026, within the well-known Coal City, Enugu, Olusunle was as soon as once more festooned with one other skilled medal. At the spectacular Enugu International Conference Centre, one of many signature initiatives of the wonder-working, multitasking Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, Olusunle was one in every of 4 seasoned journalists inducted as a Fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, (NGE), on the closing ceremony of the Guild’s twenty second All Nigeria Editors Conference, (ANEC).
Other inductees had been Husseina Akila Bangshika, former Director of News, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN); Ogbuagu Anikwe, former Editor of Daily Times; and Tunde Rahman, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Special Duties. The new Fellows took the oath of professionalism administered by Emeritus President of the Guild, Baba Dantiye. They are actually entitled so as to add FNGE to their present titles.
For Olusunle, the fellowship marks one other milestone in a profession spanning about 4 many years throughout journalism, authorities communication, academia and literature. He started his journalism profession with the primordial Daily Times of Nigeria in 1990, rising from employees author to senior employees author and assistant editor earlier than serving on the newspaper’s editorial board. Between 1999 and 2007, he served within the Presidency as Special Assistant to President Olusegun Obasanjo, with duties overlaying nationwide orientation, public affairs, press liaison and particular companies. He beforehand served as State Director of Information and Public Affairs in Kogi State and as Director of Press Affairs/Chief Press Secretary to at least one civilian Governor and two Military Administrators, between 1992 and 1997.
Beyond the newsroom, Olusunle holds a PhD in Media Arts from the University of Abuja and has written extensively on Nigerian literature, journalism, theatre and politics. His books embody On the Trail of History: A Reporter’s Notebook on Olusegun Obasanjo; Atiku: Perspectives on a Phenomenon and Orisirisi: Vistas on Contemporary Politics in Nigeria, Volumes One and Two. His poetry collections embody Fingermarks, Rhythm of the Mortar, A Medley of Echoes and probably the most lately printed Newland. He is at the moment a Faculty Member of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies.
Adding color to the Enugu gathering graciously hosted by Governor Mbah, was the presence of 90-year-old Vanguard writer, Sam Amuka-Pemu, the Guild’s Member No. 001 and extensively considered Nigeria’s oldest dwelling journalist. Former Ogun State Governor, Olusegun Osoba, is Member No. 002, whereas Chief Ugochukwu, a former Guild President and pioneer Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC), is Member No. 003. Former Managing Director of Tribune Group of Newspapers, Folu Olamiti; Managing Director of THISDAY, Eniola Bello; former Managing Director of The Guardian newspapers, Martins Oloja; Editor-in-Chief of Vanguard newspapers and President of the Guild, Eze Anaba; former Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, (NIJ); Secretary to the Government of Enugu State, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, had been among the many dignitaries who additionally attended the ceremony.
