The BBC World Service says it has appointed new leaders for the East and West African languages as part of its continuing expansion on the Africa continent.

It disclosed in a statement on Wednesday that the East African languages team would be led by Kenyan-based Rachel Akidi Okwir, while Nigeria’s Toyosi Ogunseye would head its West African counterpart, managing Afrique, Hausa, Igbo, Pidgin English and Yoruba languages.

The statement noted that Ogunseye, the current Editor of Sunday Punch, Nigeria’s most widely-read newspaper, would be joining the BBC in January 2018, while Okwir has been with the BBC since 2002.

Ogunseye, who became the first female editor in the 45 years history of The PUNCH, is an award-winning journalist with a passion for investigative reporting.

“She has won over 30 awards and was the first Nigerian to win the prestigious Knight International Journalism award,” the statement added.

Toyosi is a fellow of the President Barack Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative and currently sits on the board of the World Editors Forum.

“She holds an M.Sc. in Media and Communication and is currently studying for a PhD in Politics and International Relations at the University of Leicester,” the statement said.

Ogunseye was quoted as saying, in response to her BBC appointment, that, “It is a huge honour to be appointed Head of West Africa for the BBC.

“I’m excited about this new role and I look forward to working with BBC’s amazing journalists in the region.

“I have no doubt that we will continue to produce the quality journalism that our audiences love us for.”

Okwir, who is based in Nairobi, Kenya, according to the statement, will from January next year begin to oversee the BBC services in Afaan Oromo, Amharic, Somali, Swahili and Tigrinya.

It noted that Okwir was “the Editor of the flagship radio programme, Focus on Africa. She joined the BBC World Service as a producer in 2002 and has worked on various platforms and programmes including Network Africa, The World Today, Focus on Africa TV and the website BBC Africa.

“In recognition of her leadership qualities and potential, Rachael was selected for the inaugural ‘BBC News Leadership Programme.’

“Born in Uganda, her career in journalism started as a freelance contributor to Ugandan newspapers and radio stations whilst a student at the Makerere University.”

The statement quoted Okwir as saying, in response to her new appointment, that, “I am deeply honoured to be leading the BBC’s expansion and digital transformation in the East and Horn of Africa.

“The media landscape in the region is rapidly evolving. It is a vibrant, challenging and competitive market, but with massive potential and opportunities. I am excited to be part of the team that will be at the forefront of this transformation.”

The Regional Editor for the BBC Africa, Solomon Mugera, was quoted as saying that, “Rachael and Toyosi are talented journalists, each with an impressive track record of strong editorial focus and inspiring leadership. They are passionate about original journalism and finding creative ways of engaging with the audience.”