Sunday Punch (Nigeria) Editor wins African Women in News Leadership Award

Toyosi Ogunseye

"Exemplary leaders such as Ogunseye serve as an inspiration to the next generation of African leaders," said Cherilyn Ireton, Director of the World Editors Forum, the organisation within WAN-IFRA for chief editors and other senior newsroom executives.

The award recognises and celebrates journalistic excellence and leadership among women editors across African newsrooms. And it comes at a critical moment - the Beijing +20 Review of the UN Conference on Women, the ongoing campaign for gender parity in Africa, and the growing realisation of the economic, political and social impact of women in a continent that is on the rise.

This must be accompanied by media that are ready to acknowledge and champion the importance and relevance of women, be it in the stories they carry or the leadership position given to women to exercise due authority and responsibility.

Ogunseye was chosen for her outstanding contribution to Nigeria's media scene, as a journalist and editor. She is recognised for her commitment to high quality ethical journalism, particularly around the issues of the environment, justice and good governance. As a title editor of Nigeria's largest newspaper, The Punch, Ogunseye has overseen an increase in circulation since 2013 and as the first female editor in the forty year history of the newspaper, she is an inspiration not only to young women, but to all young journalists.