CNN today announced Vladimir Duthiers as its new correspondent in Nigeria. As we previously noted, Duthiers was first spotted from the region earlier this year when previous correspondent Christian Purefoy left the network. CNN's press release below.

CNN Press Release: Vladimir Duthier is to take on the role of CNN international correspondent based in Lagos, Nigeria, the network announced today.

Duthiers will join CNN’s contingent of Africa-based correspondents across the continent, as the network reaffirms its commitment to Nigeria.  CNN currently has key bureaux in Lagos, Nairobi and Johannesburg – all headed up by bureau chief Kim Norgaard – as well as three weekly programmes on CNN International focused on the continent: Marketplace Africa, Inside Africa and African Voices.

Parisa Khosravi, Senior Vice President for CNN Worldwide in charge of International Newsgathering, said: “Vladimir’s passion for journalism, impressive business background and his knack as a natural storyteller make him a fantastic choice to cover such a vibrant country and region.”

Duthiers joined CNN in 2009 as part of Christiane Amanpour's original news programme, Amanpour. He most recently served as an associate producer for Anderson Cooper 360°.

When an earthquake shook Haiti in January 2010, Duthiers was among the first journalists to arrive in Port-au-Prince. He spent several weeks on the ground field producing for CNN – including the AC360° team – which went on to win two Emmy awards for its coverage of the quake.

Earlier this year, Duthiers was on the scene as the Occupy Nigeria movement exploded onto the streets of Lagos. His reporting put the focus on the economic struggles of ordinary Nigerians and the tensions surrounding recent attacks by the Islamist terror group, Boko Haram.

Duthiers, who is fluent in French and Haitian Creole, has taken an unusual route to a career in journalism. Prior to joining CNN, he spent nearly 20 years in the financial services industry, travelling extensively around the world for clientele in 21 countries.

Duthiers holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Rhode Island and an M.S. from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism.

Christian Purefoy, CNN's West Africa correspondent, has left the network. He announced his departure from CNN a few days ago on his facebook page.

"Dear All, I have now moved on from CNN - I'd like to thank everyone for the support over the last seven years! But this is not the end...

... this is an extremely important year for Nigeria and I'll be returning in the New Year with a BIG project (but no Naija wife yet!)"

Purefoy joined CNN in 2005 and initially worked as a producer, editor and cameraman. He was appointed to correspondent in 2008 and reported on various news and feature stories from his base in Lagos, Nigeria.

Vladimir Duthiers, AC360 production assistant and CNN journalist, is currently reporting from Nigeria for CNN.