President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Gov Ademola Adeleke in separate messages have congratulated Chief Shola Oshunkeye, former Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Publishing Ghana Limited, and 2006 CNN/Multichoice African Journalist of the Year overall winner, as he turns 70 on April 20, 2026.
In his message signed by his Chief spokesman Bayo Onanuga The President rejoiced with him and praised Oshunkeye for his contributions to the struggle for the restoration of democracy and accountable governance in Nigeria, as well as to the development of journalism in the country.
The statement read:
“Osunkeye, a Fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, served at various times as Editor of Weekend Concord, Senior Associate Editor of TELL Magazine, General Editor at The Sun Group, Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Publishing Ghana Limited, and President/CEO of The Crest Online.
“Oshunkeye’s unrelenting pursuit of truth, not only in Nigeria but across Africa, culminating in his 2006 award as the CNN/Multichoice African Journalist of the Year for his investigative work, Niger’s Graveyard of the Living.
“As Oshunkeye turns 70, I wish him many more years of fruitful service to Nigeria and humanity”.
Gov. Adeleke in his own message Says Oshunkeye “is a great Journalism Icon in whom I am well pleased’
In a statement issued on his behalf by the Spokesperson to the Governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke described Oshunkeye, a Fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, as an international journalist who has brought honour to Osun State, Nigeria and Africa.
The governor recalls the great works and sacrificial service that Oshunkeye, an indigene of Ilesa in Osun State, has rendered to Nigeria and humanity. He referenced Oshunkeye’s roles in the struggle for the actualization of the June 12, 1993 pan-Nigerian mandate given to Basorun MKO Abiola, and the eventual achievement of democratic governance in 1999.
Across Nigeria’s borders, Oshunkeye is on record as one of the international journalists to travel to Niger Republic in 2005 to draw the world’s attention to the humanitarian disaster in the country. The country was devastated by the worst drought and famine in modern history resulting in the death of hundreds of thousands of children and livestock.
Oshunkeye’s moving story, published by TELL magazine, and titled: Niger’s Graveyard of The Living, won for the great writer the overall prize of CNN/Multichoice African Journalist of the Year 2006.
Born in Ilesa, Osun State on April 20, 1956, Oshunkeye, after a glorious career in the civil service, began his journalism odyssey in 1989 at the Concord Press of Nigeria, owned by the late Basorun MKO Abiola, and was attached to the great Weekend Concord, Nigeria’s first Saturday tabloid, with the legendary Mike Awoyinfa as pioneer Editor.
Ten years later, Oshunkeye succeeded Awoyinfa, his boss and mentor, as Editor of the highly successful tabloid; a testimony to his diligence, perseverance, industry, consistency and resolute commitment to society’s advancement in all ramifications.
At TELL magazine, Oshunkeye made his mark as a crack investigative journalist. He was later posted to Abuja as the magazine’s Bureau Chief and State House Correspondent where he covered Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s Presidency between 2001 and 2005.
“It is because of his meritorious service to the nation that I and my good people of Osun State celebrate this amazing son of Ijesaland, and congratulate his wife, Funsho, and their beautiful children, on this landmark,” adding: “Oshunkeye is a precious gift to us in Osun State. May the good Lord continue to preserve him and bless him and his family.”
