The first female spokesperson of the Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Onyechi Appolonia Anele, on Tuesday, resumed her duties at the Army headquarters in Abuja.
Lt.-Col. Anele assumed office as the first female Army spokesperson in the Service’s over 150 years of existence.
She took over from the outgone Army Spokesman, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, at a brief ceremony held at the Army Headquarters.
She was appointed acting Director of Army Public Relations by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, in a recent posting and redeployment.
Lt-Col Anele, in her maiden speech, thanked the Army Chief for finding her worthy of the historic appointment.
“I assure you and the entire leadership of the Nigerian Army, that I will justify this confidence by remaining absolutely loyal, committed, focused and results-driven,” she stated.
Anele further commended her immediate-past predecessor, Maj. Gen. Nwachukwu for his passion, resilience, and professionalism, which she noted have laid a formidable foundation and transformed the Directorate of Army Public Relations into its enviable state.
“Your contributions to enhancing the image and strategic communication of the Nigerian Army are remarkable over the years you served as Director. Sir, you remain an integral part of the DAPR family, and I will always value your counsel and support,” she added.
She also commended officers, soldiers, and civilian staff of the great Directorate, for their commitment and appealed for more support.
The director tasked members of the media, particularly the defence correspondents, “to uphold truth, fairness and responsibility in our engagements for the good of our great country, Nigeria.”
She pledged to lead the Directorate with transparency, professionalism, respect, and being proactive. “We will continue to tell the Nigerian Army’s story, not just through words, but through actions that reflect honour, sacrifice, responsibility and service,” she said.
In his remarks, Maj.-Gen. Nwachukwu who assumed duty on June 16, 2021, reeled out the innovations introduced under him as the Army spokesperson and his awareness of the enormous expectations in an era defined by the rapid evolution of the digital media landscape, the proliferation of information channels and the relentless demand for timely, accurate and strategic communication.
“Today, I dare to say with confidence that I did not merely react to these challenges, I boldly confronted them head-on with innovation, vision, purpose,” he said.
He noted such feats as the retooling of the Directorate with cutting-edge multimedia equipment to respond swiftly and professionally to operational and non-operational media engagements.
“I ensured the acquisition of modern cameras, editing suites, audio-visual systems and digital communication tools necessary to thrive in the fast-paced global media space.
“I also recognised the centrality of human capital development. To that end, I facilitated specialised local and international training for our officers and soldiers, exposing them to global best practices in strategic communication, crisis messaging, digital warfare, and media analytics. This has undoubtedly transformed the way we tell the Nigerian Army’s story credibly, and authoritatively,” Nwachukwu said.
He further recounted the establishment of a fully functional Strategic Communications Centre in his resolve to institutionalise deliberate and well-coordinated messaging.
The first Nigerian Army Online TV – Nigerian Army Info TV – was also established at the Army Headquarters for the production of audio-visual contents, documentaries, news features and broadcast.
“I also ensured deepened relationships with traditional and new media actors, built bridges of understanding, and amplified the narratives of gallantry, resilience, and professionalism that define our troops on the frontlines.
“It has indeed been a journey of transformation, of redefining army public relations, not just as a support service, but as a strategic arm in contemporary warfare and national security management,” he noted.
He expressed gratitude the uniformed and civilian personnel of the Directorate for their dedication and loyalty. “Your commitment was the wind beneath my wings. Together, we laid the bricks for a solid institutional legacy”.
Nwachukwu further thanked all the former Chiefs of Army Staff, and the incumbent Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Oluyede, for their trust, guidance, and unflinching support.
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