Born Abayomi Oladipupo Odunuga, the journey to journalism was not, by any means, an accident even though he had wanted to be a public relations expert. His foray into campus Journalism at the then-Ogun State University, and contributions to literary writings, were early signs that Yomi Odunuga could end up in the pen-pushing profession sometime in the future.
That opportunity came when an encounter with a relative who was working with The Punch opened an opportunity for him to work, first as a proofreader, and subsequently as a reporter for many years in the organisation. He was the Bureau Chief and Deputy Editor (Nation’s Capital) of The Nation newspaper.
Born on June 2, 1966, Yomi Odunuga, a poet, lyricist, reporter, and columnist, started his journalism career with Punch Newspaper over two decades ago. He was, for several years, the State House Correspondent of the newspaper 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, recognition, and promotion to the exalted position of Abuja Bureau Chief at the Punch newspaper.
In 2006, he was elevated to the position of Group Political Editor of The Punch from where he 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 socio-political developments in the polity.
Yomi was the 1990 best graduating student of the then Ogun State University, now Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State. He has attended several journalism courses in Nigeria and outside the country. Though temporarily operating outside mainstream Journalism, he believes he would soon be back to the beats to feel the vibrant allure that working in the newsroom injects into the spirit of every newspaperman.
The widely-traveled journalist is married to Toyosi Odunuga and the marriage is blessed with children.
