The United States Mission in Nigeria has congratulated Dayo Oketola, who was newly appointed as the editor of The PUNCH newspaper.

PUNCH announced Oketola’s appointment alongside five others on Tuesday, saying their appointments take effect from Monday, April 4, 2022.

Apart from Oketola, who was the Editor, Weekend Titles (Saturday PUNCH and Sunday PUNCH), Ademola Oni, the Editor of The PUNCH, was promoted Head of the newspaper’s Content Division.

Also, Abiodun Sonowo, a senior member of the newspaper’s Editorial Board and one of its finest analysts, was announced as the Chairman of the Editorial Board.

The company also renewed the tenure of the Deputy Editor, The PUNCH,  Niyi Odebode, while the Deputy Editor, Weekend Titles, Olusola Fabiyi, was appointed Editor, Weekend Titles.

Akinpelu Dada, a former Business Editor of The PUNCH, was appointed Deputy Editor, Weekend Titles.

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria celebrated Oketola across its social media platforms.

It posted, “U.S. government exchange alumni are at the forefront of promoting and advancing democratic institutions, transparency, accountability, press freedom and human rights.

“Congratulations to Dayo Oketola, an alumnus of @StateIVLP on his appointment as Editor of The Punch @MobilePunch, one of Nigeria’s most widely read newspapers.

 “U.S. government exchange alumni are at the forefront of promoting and advancing democratic institutions, transparency, accountability, press freedom and human rights.”

In 2019, Oketola was selected by the US Embassy in Nigeria to participate in the International Visitors Leadership Programme sponsored by the Department of State.

The IVLP gave him tremendous insight into journalism in the US where he visited alongside other participants in both print and electronic newsrooms as well as journalism schools across Washington DC; Baltimore, Maryland;  New Orleans, Lousiana; Tampa, Florida; Albuquerque and Santa Fe in New Mexico.

Congratulations to Dayo Oketola, an alumnus of @StateIVLP on his appointment as Editor of The Punch @MobilePunchpic.twitter.com/UY3FGhzNvg