WRITERS CONGRATULATE DR. TUNDE OLUSUNLE ON 59TH BIRTHDAY
The Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) has congratulated renowned author and journalist, Dr. Tunde Olusunle on his 59th birthday.
In a press release issued today, SYNW President Wole Adedoyin acknowledged Dr. Olusunle's significant contributions to Nigerian literature and journalism.
" Dr. Tunde Olusunle is a true inspiration to aspiring writers and journalists across the country," Adedoyin said. "His dedication to his craft and his insightful storytelling have captivated readers for decades."
Born on March 30, 1965, in Kogi State, Dr. Olusunle demonstrated a remarkable aptitude for language early on. He graduated with honors from the University of Ilorin with a degree in English Literature at the impressive age of 20. He continued his academic pursuits at the same institution, earning a Master's degree in 1989.
Dr. Olusunle's impressive career extends beyond the literary realm. He served as Director of Information in Kogi State from 1992 to 1993. He then lent his expertise to the Daily Times Nigeria as a member of the Editorial Board between 1993 and 1995.
For the next two years, Dr. Olusunle assumed the role of Chief Press Secretary to two Military Administrators in Kogi State. His talents were further recognized when he was appointed Special Duties Special Assistant to President Olusegun Obasanjo, a position he held from 1999 to 2007.
Throughout his multifaceted career, Dr. Olusunle has never strayed from his passion for writing. He is a gifted poet and has authored several well-received volumes of poetry, including the critically acclaimed "Fingermarks" and "Rhythm of the Mortar," published by Kraft Books.
The Society of Young Nigerian Writers joined the literary community in celebrating Dr. Tunde Olusunle's remarkable birthday. His dedication to literature serves as a beacon for aspiring writers in Nigeria and around the world.
*Tunde Olusunle* is a "global" Nigerian, who has lived at various times, across the sociocultural span of the country. Born in Kaduna where he began his elementary education, he attended the iconic Immaculate Conception College, (ICC), in Benin City, graduating with *Division One* in 1980. He obtained the Cambridge University-moderated Higher School Certificate, (HSC), from the School of Basic Studies, Kwara State College of Technology, Ilorin in 1982. He earned a Bachelors degree (honours) in English from the University of Ilorin in 1985, and a Masters in Literature, (with credit) in 1989, from the same institution. He obtained a Doctorate in Media Arts from the University of Abuja in 2020. Olusunle participated in the mandatory one-year year National Youth Service Corps, (NYSC), in Imo State between 1985 and 1986, during which he lectured at the former College of Technology, Nekede, Owerri.
He taught in secondary schools in modern day Kogi and Kwara states from 1986 to 1990, before joining the *Daily Times* conglomerate in Lagos, in 1990. Olusunle rose to the membership of the elite *Editorial Board* of the erstwhile pacesetter of the Nigerian print media, and savoured stints in the Kogi State public service, between 1992 and 1997. He was, at various times an information, public affairs and media director to three chief executives of the state, of military and civilian textures, operating from Lokoja the state capital. These were Abubakar Audu (of blessed memory); Paul Omeruo an army Colonel (now retired) and his successor, Colonel Bzigu Afakirya (also departed).
He was also "Campaign Media Attachè" to Nigeria's former military leader, Olusegun Obasanjo, beginning from the earliest days of his presidential consultations and campaigns in 1998. He was subsequently appointed by Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, after his electoral victory in the 1999 poll and subsequent inauguration as First President of the Fourth Republic. He functioned from Abuja the nation's capital from 1999 to 2007, in various capacities. He was a Visiting Member of the Editorial Board of *Leadership* newspapers and has also chaired the same department of *People and Politics* magazine for several years.
Olusunle has published three very successful poetry volumes: *Fingermarks,* (1996); *Rhythm Of The Mortar,* (2001) and *A Medley Of Echoes,* (2022). He also authored a compendium of essays on Obasanjo, *On The Trail Of History: A Reporter's Notebook on Olusegun Obasanjo,* (2006) and has also published a book of essays on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, GCON, titled: *Atiku: Perspectives on a Phenomenon,* (2023). Two new volumes of his essays: *Orisirisi: Vistas on Nigeria's Contemporary Sociopolitics,* (2024) and *Toasts, Tributes and Wreaths,* (2024), are in press. He is a very highly read and respected regular contributor to Nigeria's leading tabloids and online publications. His scholarly articles have been published in very reputable home-based and foreign journals, books and festschrifts among others. He has logged over 30 countries across all the continents, in a robust travel profile. He fancies himself an "Unaffiliated Scholar" and is presently supporting the takeoff of the newly established Centre for Creative Writing at the University of Abuja as an *Adjunct Professor.*
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