President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently appointed Sunday Akin Dare as his Special Adviser on Public Communication and Orientation, effective October 23, 2024.
Dare, a seasoned journalist and communications expert, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. He previously served as Nigeria’s Minister of Youth and Sports from 2019 to 2023.
Before that, he was the Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) from 2016 to 2019, where he effectively managed the NCC’s interactions with public and private sector stakeholders.
Throughout his career, Dare has demonstrated exceptional leadership and communication skills. He was Chief of Staff/Special Adviser on media to President Tinubu during his tenure as APC leader.
In 2009, Dare was appointed Senior Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Information and Communications, overseeing media-related decisions, public information dissemination, and media policies.
Dare’s journalism background is equally impressive. He served as Chief of the Hausa Service, African Division at Voice of America (VOA) in Washington, DC, from 2001 to 2009.
He led a team of international journalists and correspondents in West Africa, producing daily radio and online broadcast programs.
Dare’s academic credentials are noteworthy. He holds certifications from the London School of Economics in Strategic Communications and Oxford University as an Academic Research Fellow.
Additionally, he was a Nieman Journalism Fellow at Harvard University Cambridge, Boston Massachusetts, USA, and a Freedom Forum Fellow Visiting Scholar at New York University’s School of Journalism.
Dare also holds a Master’s degree in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Jos and a Bachelor of Science degree in International Studies from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna, Nigeria.
Dare has authored several books, including “Making a Killing-The Business of War” (2003), “Guerrilla Journalism: Dispatches from the Underground” (2007), “We Are All Journalists- Africa in the Age Of Social Media” (2011), and “Datelines – A Journalist’s Narrative” (2016).
He has received numerous awards for his work, including being selected as one of the 50 Leading Nigerians in North America in 2010, a Special Citation for Courage from the Committee to Protect Journalists in 2000, and the Voice of America Meritorious Honor Award in 2009. Dare also received the VOA Silver Medal in 2004 and the VOA Quality Step Increase in 2003. In 1996, he was awarded the Best Correspondent Award.
As President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Public Communication and Orientation, Sunday Akin Dare is poised to leverage his expertise to enhance public communication and orientation in Nigeria.
His extensive experience in journalism, communications, and leadership positions him well to excel in this critical role.
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