Khadijat Ameen
Abuja
According to it's tradition and in a brief but symbolic ceremony, Lieutenant Colonel Onyechi Appolonia Anele has assumed command as the pioneer female Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR) in acting capacity, marking a significant milestone in the Nigerian Army's efforts to promote diversity and gender inclusion.
In a ceremony held today, Tuesday 22 April 2025 at the Army Headquarters, Abuja, Lieutenant Colonel Anele took over from the immediate past DAPR, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, whom has been redeployed to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, Abuja.
Speaking during the handing and taking over ceremony, Lieutenant Colonel Onyechi Anele expressed gratitude to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General 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.
"Firstly, to be entrusted with this strategic role as the Nigerian Army spokesperson being the first female officer in the history of the Nigerian Army and indeed Armed Forces of Nigeria. Therefore, I owe this opportunity to the visionary leadership of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General OO Oluyede, NAM. Sir, I thank you most sincerely for finding me worthy of this 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.
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.
"I would like to pay glowing tribute to my immediate predecessors, especially my boss, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, whose passion, resilience, and professionalism laid a formidable foundation and transformed the Directorate of Army Public Relations to this 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. To the dedicated officers, soldiers, and civilian staff of this great Directorate, I thank you for your enduring commitment. Your collective efforts have kept the Directorate effective and respected. Therefore, I count on your continued support and cooperation as we work together to further enhance the Directorate’s capacity and relevance."
She also 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.
"To our friends, the media, particularly our defence correspondents, you are our partners in progress. I commend your professionalism in reporting military activities and encourage you to sustain the tempo. However, let us continue to uphold truth, fairness and responsibility in our engagements for the good of our great country, Nigeria. To the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and other strategic partners, your role in professionalizing public communication in the country and continuous support to the Nigerian Army is deeply appreciated. I look forward to consolidating and expanding our collaboration."
In her call to action, the Acting DAPR 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 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, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, highlighted the modest achievements of the Directorate under his stewardship which have positioned the Directorate to respond swiftly and professionally to both operational and non-operational challenges. He noted 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. He added that the voice of the Nigerian Army now resonates loud and clear both within and beyond the country's borders.
He said, "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."
"Going further, I also recognized the centrality of human capital development. To that end, I facilitated specialized 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."
"The establishment of a fully functional Strategic Communications Centre stands today as a testament to our resolve to institutionalize deliberate and well-coordinated messaging. This centre has become the nerve hub for synchronized communication efforts across our formations and units."
He expressed gratitude to the COAS, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede for the opportunity to serve in the capacity of the DAPR. 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 called on the incoming Director to continue building on the already laid foundation and to take the Directorate to even greater heights.
The event was marked by the signing of handing and taking over notes, the presentation of the command flag, and the decoration of the acting Director with the insignia of the Directorate of Army Public Relations. The assumption of command ceremony was attended by senior officers, DAPR Deputy Directors, Acting Deputy Directors, and Assistant Deputy Directors from within and outside the Federal Capital Territory.
Lieutenant Colonel Anele Appolonia, a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), previously served as the Public Relations Officer to the former Chief of Army Staff. Until her latest appointment, she served at the Department of Civil-Military Relations, Defence Headquarters.
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