Azu’s exit ends an era in PUNCH
Azu’s exit came weeks after the controversial resignation of Mr. Steve Ayorinde, who was editor of the daily newspaper from December 2007 to February, 2010. “It’s the end of an era in PUNCH,” a former journalist with the newspaper told our reporter at the weekend. “He was a serious-minded editor, who insisted that tasks were […]
Azu’s exit came weeks after the controversial resignation of Mr. Steve Ayorinde, who was editor of the daily newspaper from December 2007 to February, 2010.
“It’s the end of an era in PUNCH,” a former journalist with the newspaper told our reporter at the weekend. “He was a serious-minded editor, who insisted that tasks were accomplished. He made an impact with his column, which started as Azu on Saturday, and later transited, to Azu on Tuesday. He had a fast rise in journalism, and it seems he is leaving too soon.”
In his years as a staff of PUNCH, Azu was Deputy Editor, Editor, Saturday PUNCH, Editor, The PUNCH, and later Executive Director (Publications).
It was not clear what the outcome of a panel purportedly set up by the board of the company to investigate some issues raised in Mr Steve’s resignation letter was.
Azu holds a Masters degree in Public Administration and International Affairs from University of Lagos and a B.Sc in Mass Communications. He is a member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, the Nigerian Union of Journalists, and an Associate member of the World Association of Newspapers.
Azu joined PUNCH in 1989 (after serving as an intern in 1986) and has at various times been staff reporter, investigative reporter, features writer, senior features writer, deputy features editor, features editor, and deputy editor of Toplife magazine (a PUNCH publication). He was also a member of the PUNCH editorial board, and Editor of Saturday PUNCH between 1996 and 2001.
He was Editor of the company’s flagship paper and daily title, THE PUNCH, between 2002 and 2006, when he was appointed Executive Director, Publications, with direct oversight functions for the company’s three titles – Sunday PUNCH, Saturday PUNCH and THE PUNCH.
He was Winner, Babatunde Jose Prize for best print graduating student; serial winner of the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME) for Best Informed Commentary; Editor of the Year Award by the Nigerian Media Merit Award; Columnist of the Year by the Nigerian Media Merit Award; Oustanding Alumnus Award, Department of Mass Communication, Uinversity of Lagos, 2008.
He is the author of The Trial of Nuhu Ribadu: A riveting story of Nigeria’s anti-corruption war.