The first female Acting Director, Army Public Relations (DAPR), Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele has taken over the mantle of leadership of the corp from the immediate past Director, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu.
She is the first female officer to hold the strategic position in the Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Taking over at the Army Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, Lieutenant Colonel Anele expressed gratitude to God, acknowledging that her appointment comes with enormous responsibilities and huge expectations.
Lt Col Anele expressed her appreciation to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant-General Olumide Oluyede, for finding her worthy to be saddled with such responsibility, assuring him of her loyalty, commitment, and dedication to duty.
To the immediate past Director, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, said his passion and professionalism have transformed the Directorate of Army Public Relations into a formidable force, stressing that that brought a remarkable contributions to enhancing the image of the Nigerian Army, a solid foundation she promised to leverage on.
While emphasizing the imperative of partnerships and collaboration, particularly with the media, in promoting the Nigerian Army’s image and activities, Lt Col Anele commended the professionalism of Defence Correspondents, encouraging them to uphold truth, fairness, and responsibility in their reportage.
Adding that her style of leadership would be hinged on transparency, professionalism, respect, and proactiveness, while focusing on telling the Nigerian Army’s story through words and actions that reflect honour, sacrifice, responsibility, and service to the nation.
She urged officers, soldiers, and civilian staff to remain loyal, hardworking, focused, and united in their efforts to take the Nigerian Army public relations to enviable heights.
Earlier before decorating the new acting Director with the Directorate insignia and accoutrements as well as handing over the official flag of the directorate, the outgone Director Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, expressed gratitude to God Almighty and appreciation to various stakeholders who supported him during his almost four-year tenure.
Highlighting modest significant key achievements during his tenure included modernising the Directorate and establishing the state-of-the-art online Nigerian ArmyInfo Television and Strategic Communication Centre.
He also underscored the importance of human capital development through specialised training for officers and soldiers in strategic communication, crisis messaging, digital warfare, and media analytics.
The new Acting Director is a member of Direct Regular Course 15, she joined the Nigerian Army in 2007 after her NYSC service.
She holds two Master’s Degrees in Gender, Peace and Security, as well as Leadership and Strategic Studies.
Until her new appointment last week, Lt Col Anele served as the Public Relations Officer to the then Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai from 2018 to 2021.
She also served with the United Nations Operations in Darfur, Sudan in 2008 as well as worked at the Defence Space Administration.
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