Abati - Making of Presidential Spokesman

Independent

10 July 2011

Abati - Making of Presidential Spokesman

Emma Maduabuchi Assistant Features Editor

Despite the huge challenges inherent in journalism profession in Nigeria, Reuben Abati, immediate past Editorial Board Chairman of The Guardian Newspapers, is one of the few journalists in the country, who are seen by observers as successful by any standard.

Born 46 years ago, Abati started off his glittering journalism career in 1989 as a freelancer with the defunct Daily Sketch Group of Newspapers based in Ibadan, Oyo State. At about the same time, he also freelanced for The Guardian Newspapers, Nigeria; The Democrat; Nigerian Tribune; and the Daily Times of Nigeria (DTN). All these were from 1989 to 1991.

He was later to become a Contributing Editor to HINTS Magazine and CHANELLE, all romance based soft-sell publications in Lagos. By 1999, he had risen to the pinnacle of his career as the Editorial Board Chairman of The Guardian Newspapers.

However, notwithstanding his acclaimed success, the Ogun State-born Theatre Arts Graduate and prolific writer has moved on.

Last week, Thursday, July 7, he took on higher challenges, when he got sworn in as Special Adviser on Communication (Media and Publicity) to President Goodluck Jonathan.