By Jemimah Wellington, JKNMedia Reporter
TO STREAMLINE its operations and invigorate its editorial leadership, the management of PUNCH Nigeria Limited has announced significant changes across its editorial division.
In a report published on the company’s website, the restructuring, unveiled by the management on Friday, aims to bolster its editorial strength and sustain its competitive edge in the media industry.
Previously serving as the Business Editor of the newspaper, Oyetunji Abioye, a veteran journalist with extensive experience in business reporting, has been appointed as the acting Editor, Daily edition.
He is billed to take over from Adedayo Oketola in a transition set for Monday, July 22, 2024.
Simultaneously, Samson Folarin, the Features Editor of the Weekend Titles Saturday & Sunday PUNCH, has been elevated to the position of acting Editor of the Weekend Titles to succeed Sola Fabiyi, marking another key change in the editorial team.
Meanwhile, the board expressed its gratitude to the outgoing editors, Oketola and Fabiyi, for their invaluable contributions to the company, citing their dedication and leadership which have significantly advanced the company’s strategic objectives.
Other appointments include: Tana Aiyejina, currently the Editor of SportsExtra, who will step into the role of Deputy Editor, replacing Olaniyi Odebode.
The board notes that Odebode’s impressive 31-year tenure with the company has been marked by numerous contributions in various capacities, and good wishes were expressed to him in his future endeavours.
For the lady among the pack, Ms. Tessy Igomu, who serves as the current Editor of Healthwise, she has been designated as the acting Deputy Editor of the Weekend Titles, taking over from Yusuff Moshood, now reassigned to PUNCH Digital as the Deputy Editor, towards enhancing the company’s digital presence.
Abioye, in his response to the new appointment, reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the journalistic standards and corporate values that define PUNCH and highlighted his extensive experience and the lessons learned over the years as his guiding compass in this new role.
Known as a respected journalist in the business journalism community, Abioye is recognized for breaking major stories and winning numerous awards, including the Nigerian Media Merit Award Aviation Reporter of the Year (2015).
On his part, Folarin, recognized for his investigative journalism and a strong advocate for human rights, also expressed his readiness to take on the challenges of his new role.
His career has been decorated with several prestigious awards, including the Nigeria Media Merit Award for Investigative Reporter of the Year and the Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Journalism.
Olalekan Adetayo, the current online editor, will now lead PUNCH Digital, integrating all of the company’s digital publications under one umbrella, brining his extensive background in journalism, covering crime, politics, and serving in various editorial roles, which the board says has positioned him well for this new challenge, to bear.
Tana Aiyejina, a celebrated sports journalist and current Sports Editor, is also expected to bring his expertise to his new role as Deputy Editor. His accolades include the Nigeria Sports Journalist of The Year and the Best Football Journalist of The Year, among others.
Tessy Igomu’s move to the role of acting Deputy Editor, Weekend Titles, marks another significant step in her distinguished career as an award-winning investigative journalist who has made notable contributions to health journalism via her work with Healthwise.
Yusuff Moshood’s redeployment to PUNCH Digital as the Deputy Editor is also described as a strategic move to strengthen the company’s digital operations with his experience and leadership in various editorial roles that will be instrumental in this transition.
The board also states that these changes reflect company’s commitment to maintaining its leadership in the media industry by nurturing talent and adapting to the evolving media landscape.
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