Lt.-Col Onyechi Appolonia Anele has taken over as Acting Director of the Nigerian Army Public Relations Department, becoming the first female officer to head the unit.
She took over on Tuesday from Major-Gen Onyema Nwachukwu during a brief ceremony at the Army Headquarters in Abuja, thereby becoming the first woman to hold the position in the history of the Nigerian Army.
Details of the handover ceremony were captured in a statement by Lt.
-Col Sabastine Takwa, Chief of Staff, Directorate of Army Public Relations, Nigerian Army Headquarters in Abuja.
The emergence of Lt-Col Anele follows the redeployment of Major-Gen Nwachukwu to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, Abuja.
Speaking during the handing over ceremony, Lt-Col Anele expressed gratitude to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen Olufemi Oluyede for the opportunity to serve as the Army spokesperson.
She assured the Army leadership that she will justify the confidence reposed in her by remaining loyal, committed, focused, and discharging her duties most promptly and professionally.
The Acting Director paid glowing tribute to her predecessor, acknowledging his passion, resilience and professionalism, which have laid a solid foundation for the Directorate and enhanced the Nigerian Army’s image and strategic communication.
She extolled the vital role of defence correspondents in reporting military activities and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and other strategic partners in professionalizing public communications in the country and their continuous support to the Nigerian Army.
The Acting Director of Army Public Relations called for continuous support to the Nigerian Army as it works tirelessly, in conjunction with other sister security agencies, to safeguard the nation’s peace, unity, and sovereignty.
She also pledged to continue telling the Nigerian Army’s story through actions that reflect honour, sacrifice, and service to the nation.
In his valedictory remarks, the immediate past Director, Maj.-Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, highlighted the modest achievements of the Directorate under his stewardship, which he said had positioned the Directorate to respond swiftly and professionally to both operational and non-operational challenges.
He listed some achievements to include the facilitation of specialized local and international training for officers and soldiers, exposing them to global best practices in strategic communication, crisis messaging, digital media warfare, and media analytics.
Major General Nwachukwu stated that these strides have significantly enhanced the media reach, engagement, and public perception of the Nigerian Army, adding that the voice of the Nigerian Army now resonates loud and clear both within and beyond the country’s borders.
He expressed gratitude to the COAS, Lt.-Gen Olufemi Oluyede, for the opportunity to serve in the capacity of the D APR. He equally thanked officers and soldiers of the Directorate for their dedication and loyalty, which have laid the foundation for a solid institutional legacy.
He also called on the incoming Director to continue building on the already laid foundation and to take the Directorate to even greater heights.
