By George Ozalla
The Nigerian Army has made history by appointing Lieutenant Colonel Anele Onyinyechi Appolonia as its first-ever female spokesperson, marking a significant milestone in the service’s history. Lt Col Anele will serve as the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, taking over from Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, who has been redeployed to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre.
The appointment highlights the Nigerian Army’s growing recognition of the vital contributions of female officers in strategic leadership positions. Lt Col Anele, a member of Direct Regular Course 15 and an active member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), has a strong background in public relations. She previously served as Public Relations Officer at the Office of the Chief of Army Staff and was most recently deployed to the Department of Civil-Military Relations at Defence Headquarters, where she distinguished herself in various strategic communication roles.
Lt Col Anele’s appointment is a testament to her hard work and dedication, and she will officially assume office on April 22, 2025. We wish her great success in her new role as she breaks new ground and inspires others.
