The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) has disclaimed reports circulating on social media and some online platforms regarding the alleged appointment of Yomi Odunuga as Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

In a statement signed by Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations, the OSGF clarified that no such appointment has been made. The office also stated that no official communication or press release had been issued to confirm any such development.

“For the avoidance of doubt, appointment of Special Advisers at the federal level is the sole prerogative of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces,” the statement read.

The OSGF urged members of the public and media organisations to disregard the reports, describing them as unverified and potentially misleading.

“The public and media organisations are hereby advised to rely only on verified information officially released and duly signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations, OSGF,” the statement added.

The clarification comes amid widespread online speculation regarding changes within the SGF’s media team.

The Guardian reports that Odunuga, a Deputy Editor with THE NATION Newspaper, started his journalism career with The Punch newspapers as a Proofreader. He was the Abuja Bureau Chief and Deputy Editor (Nation’s Capital) of THE NATION newspapers.

Born on June 2, 1966, Mr Odunuga, a poet, lyricist, reporter, and columnist, started his journalism career with the PUNCH newspaper over 27 years ago. He was, for several years, the State House Correspondent of the paper where he maintained two columns–Life in Abuja and the popular weekend treat called Inside Aso Rock.

His insightful and critical analysis of the intriguing politics of that period earned him accolades and recognition, which later saw him being promoted to the position of Abuja Bureau Chief of The PUNCH newspaper.

In 2006, he was elevated to the position of Group Political Editor of The PUNCH.

He later joined THE NATION newspaper as an Assistant Editor and Bureau Chief in Abuja. At THE NATION, his rested PUNCH newspaper column, Knuckles, transformed into Knucklehead, which offered him the opportunity to continue his weekly interrogation and critique of the socio-political developments in the polity.

In 2019, he was appointed as Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, to the Deputy President of the 9th Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.

After completing his tour of duty at the National Assembly for four years (2019 to 2023), he returned to the newsroom of The NATION newspapers as a Deputy Editor charged with the responsibility of conducting special interviews in addition to writing incisive and analytical articles.