PUNCH EDITOR 7TH POWERFUL WOMAN

Punch Newspapers’ Acting Deputy Editor, Weekend Titles, Tessy Igomu, has been named the seventh most powerful woman in journalism by the Women in Journalism Africa.

At an event held on Tuesday, it was announced that Igomu had moved from the eighth spot she occupied in 2023 to seventh place.

In 2021, she was named 18th out of 25 powerful women in journalism in Nigeria.

Tessy began her journalism career at The Sun Newspaper in 2007 as a reporter, rising to the role of Assistant Features Editor.

She joined PUNCH in 2020, where she has risen to the position of Deputy Editor, Weekend Titles.

This was after her remarkable role on the Investigative Desk and as Editor, PUNCH Healthwise, a platform dedicated to beaming the searchlight on public health and development issues on the continent.

In her laurel-filled career, she has written groundbreaking stories and carried out several undercover reports, some of which have been awarded both in Nigeria and internationally.

In 2022, for instance, she was named West Africa’s Journalist of the Year by the West African Media Excellence Awards held in Ghana.

She was the first female in West Africa to win the ultimate prize, defeating 24 renowned journalists.

Annually, WIJAFRICA honours Nigeria’s most influential female journalists who have left indelible marks on the industry and paved the way for women’s advancement.

The network of renowned leading women journalists across Africa recognises and celebrates these trailblazers through its prestigious annual list.

By highlighting their accomplishments, WIJAFRICA seeks to inspire the next generation of women journalists, while reinforcing the critical role of women’s voices in shaping the media landscape.

The Director of News and Editor-in-Chief at TVC, Stella Jacob, retained the number one spot in this year’s ranking.

Following closely were Toun Sonaiya of Women FM and Kadaria Ahmed of Radio Now, who clinched the second and third spots respectively.

Maupe Ogun-Yusuf secured fourth place, with Azeezat Olaoluwa taking fifth. Chiemelie Ezeobi ranked sixth. Amarachi Ubani of Channels Television claimed the eighth spot, with Sharon Ijasan, Siju Alabi, and Doja Allen occupying ninth, 10th, and 11th positions respectively.

The 12th position went to the Your View ladies on TVC – Morayo Afolabi-Brown, Tope Mark Odigie, Nyma Akashat, Mariam Longe, and Obiajulu Ugboh.

Stephanie Busari took the 13th spot, while Konye Nwabogor of THISDAY Style rounded off the list at 14th.

To conclude the event, Yomi Owope of WIJAFRICA, announced that scholarships would be awarded to young female journalists for study at the School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, to enhance their skills.