Lt-Col. Onyechi Anele has assumed Command as the first female spokesperson for the Nigerian Army in its over 150-year history.
She assumed office yesterday, taking over from the outgoing Army spokesperson Major General Onyema Nwachukwu during a brief ceremony at the Army Headquarters.
In a posting and redeployment, she was recently appointed acting director of army public relations by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Olufemi Oluyede.
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 said.
Anele commended her immediate predecessors, especially my boss, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, for his passion, resilience, and professionalism, which 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 commended officers, soldiers, civilian staff and the 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.”
“I pledge to lead the directorate with transparency, professionalism, respect, and proactiveness. 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, the outgoing director, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, reviewed his stewardship of the directorate over the last four years.
“When I assumed this noble responsibility on 16 June 2021, I was fully aware of the enormous expectations that came with it, especially 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. I knew that to remain relevant and effective, I had to modernise, adapt, and lead the media war from the front.
“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, and purpose. One of the major milestones was retooling the directorate with cutting-edge multimedia equipment, positioning us 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.
He continued, “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 how we tell the Nigerian Army’s story credibly and authoritatively.”
Nwachukwu said establishing a fully functional Strategic Communications Centre is today a testament to his resolve to institutionalise deliberate and well-coordinated messaging.
“This centre has become the nerve hub for synchronised communication efforts across our formations and units.
“In addition, the directorate under my watch berthed the first ever Nigerian Army Online TV named “Nigerian Army Info Tv” by establishing a state-of-the-art studio at the Army Headquarters, purpose-built for producing audio-visual contents, documentaries, news features and broadcast. I must assert that this has significantly enhanced the media reach, engagement, and public perception of the Nigerian Army. Through this platform, the voice of the Nigerian Army now resonates louder and clearer, both within and beyond our borders.
“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 transformation journey, of redefining army public relations, not just as a support service, but as a strategic arm in contemporary warfare and national security management.
“To those who supported me in the directorate, uniformed and civilians alike, I am deeply grateful for your dedication and loyalty. Your commitment was the wind beneath my wings. Together, we laid the bricks for a solid institutional legacy.”
He thanked all the former chiefs of army staff, and the incumbent chief of army staff, Lt Gen O.O Oluyede, with whom he was privileged to serve, for their trust, guidance, and unflinching support.
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