By Abiola Olawale
In a groundbreaking moment, Lieutenant Colonel Onyinyechi Appolonia Anele officially assumed office as the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, becoming the first female spokesperson in the history of the Nigerian Army.
Lt. Col. Anele, a seasoned public relations and strategic communication expert, takes over from Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, who has been redeployed to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre.
She took over from Major General Nwachukwu following a brief ceremony at the Army Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.
In her inaugural remarks, Lt. Col. Anele expressed gratitude to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, for entrusting her with what she described as a strategic and historic responsibility.
She said: “I thank you most sincerely for finding me worthy of this appointment. I assure you and the leadership of the Nigerian Army of my unwavering loyalty, dedication, and results-driven commitment to this role.
“To our friends in the media, particularly defence correspondents, you are our partners in progress. I commend your professionalism in reporting military activities and encourage you to sustain the tempo.”
She pledged to lead the Directorate with transparency, professionalism, and a focus on narratives that reflect the Army’s core values of honour, sacrifice, and service.
The New Diplomat reports that Lt. Col. Anele, who hails from Ehime-Mbano Local Government Area in Imo State, was born into a military family.
Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 2021, she brings to her new role a wealth of experience in strategic communication, military public relations, and peace support operations.
