Profile
The voice behind Ondo State's government, now advising leaders on what to say and when to say it.
Richard Olatunde served as Chief Press Secretary to the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, from 2021 to 2023, the youngest person ever to hold the office in Ondo State. Before that he spent three years as Special Assistant on New Media and was the youngest spokesperson of a governorship campaign in the state, speaking for the Akeredolu/Aiyedatiwa ticket in 2020. He spoke for the government through a terror attack, a contested medical leave and a transition of power. Today he is Lead Strategist at Veritas-Eagles Communications and Services Ltd.
- 15+years in media and PR
- 6years in the Governor's Office
- 0signed statements archived
Press Statements
Statements issued and signed in each role, as first published on Facebook.
Milestones
In his own words.
Commentary
Essays on public relations, political communication and reputation. Subscribe on Substack
In the News
How the national press carried his statements, plus interviews and coverage.
On Air
Media Parley on Adaba 88.9 FM, Akure: the state-sponsored programme he presented as Special Assistant on New Media, on the policies and projects of the Akeredolu administration.
About
Richard Olatunde began in broadcast journalism at UNIQ 103.1 FM and The Builder Magazine, where he learned that a message only matters if the audience hears it. As UNIQ FM's correspondent in Ondo State he was elected Secretary of the NUJ Correspondents' Chapel in 2017. That grounding carried him into government in April 2018 as Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media, where he also presented Media Parley, the state-sponsored radio programme on the work of the Akeredolu administration.
In 2020 he became the youngest spokesperson of a governorship campaign in Ondo State, and in March 2021 the youngest Chief Press Secretary in the state's history, a post he held until December 2023.
In that role he managed the government's voice through the Owo church attack, the debate over Amotekun and state policing, and the long months of the governor's illness. He resigned after Governor Akeredolu's death and founded his practice at Veritas-Eagles Communications, where he now advises institutions, campaigns and public figures.
Credentials
- M.Sc. Mass Communication, Elizade University
- PGD and HND Mass Communication
- Member, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR)
- Member, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ)
- Former Secretary, NUJ Ondo State Correspondents' Chapel
Career
- Now Lead Strategist, Veritas-Eagles Communications
- 2021 to 2023 Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State
- 2020 Spokesperson, Akeredolu/Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation
- 2018 to 2021 Special Assistant to the Governor, New Media; presenter, Media Parley
- 2017 to 2018 Secretary, NUJ Ondo Correspondents' Chapel
- Earlier Broadcast journalist, UNIQ 103.1 FM; The Builder Magazine
Get in touch
For media enquiries, strategic communications or speaking engagements.