PUNCH editor wins African Women Leadership Award

Sunday PUNCH Editor, Ms Toyosi Ogunseye

Barely a day after clinching the 2014 Knight International Journalism Award, Sunday PUNCH Editor, Ms Toyosi Ogunseye, has also been awarded winner of the inaugural African Women in News Leadership Award in Nairobi, Kenya.

The award recognises and celebrates journalistic excellence and leadership among women editors across Africa and was jointly presented to Ogunseye by the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers, the World Editors Forum and the African Media Initiative.

The Director of the World Editors Forum, Cherilyn Ireton, described Ogunseye as an inspiration to the next generation of African leaders.

She said, “WAN-IFRA and the World Editors Forum are honoured to co-host this Award, which is part of our region-wide ‘Women in News’ initiative to equip high potential women in media with the skills, strategies and networks to progress to more senior levels of decision making within their companies.”

Ogunseye was chosen for her outstanding contribution to the Nigeria’s media scene as a journalist and editor. She was recognised for her commitment to high ethical journalism, particularly around the issues of the environment, justice and good governance. Meanwhile, Ogunseye had earlier expressed her gratitude to her family, colleagues and The PUNCH when she won the 2014 Knight International Journalism Award.

She said, “This honour does not belong to me alone. The Knight International Journalism Award belongs to journalists all over the world who sacrifice their lives, time, friends and families to make this world a better place. If one of us is honoured, all of us are honoured. If one of us is killed, all of us suffer.

“This award is also for my family – father, mother and siblings – for being supportive. Thank you for always understanding the demand of my job, even during Christmas and every other holiday.

“And this Knight Award also belongs to PUNCH, Nigeria’s most widely circulated newspaper, to my mentors and all of the people for being my strength and inspiration. After years of government persecution, I see this prize as a just reward for PUNCH’s dedication to our readers. It is an acknowledgement of our commitment to our objectivity, ethical conduct, fairness and our belief that we work in the public interest.”