April 17, (THEWILL) – The Nigerian Army has appointed Lieutenant Colonel Anele Onyechi Appolonia as the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, marking a historic milestone as the first female officer to hold the position.
Anele will assume the role from Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, who has been redeployed to the Nigerian Army Future Heritage. Her appointment takes effect from April 22, 2025.
A member of the Direct Regular Course 15 and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Lieutenant Colonel Anele has previously served as the Public Relations Officer at the Office of the Chief of Army Staff. Until her latest appointment, she was attached to the Department of Civil-Military Relations at Defence Headquarters.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has congratulated Lieutenant Colonel Anele on her groundbreaking achievement.
In a statement issued by her Special Adviser on Media, Jonathan Eze, the minister described the appointment as a significant breakthrough for women in the Nigerian Army and a testament to the growing emphasis on gender inclusivity in leadership roles.
The statement highlighted Lieutenant Colonel Anele’s leadership skills, professionalism, and innovative approach to public relations, noting that her commitment to the Army’s values and transparency would further strengthen communication between the military and the public.
The minister added that Anele’s elevation serves as a powerful inspiration to women across the country, demonstrating that with hard work and determination, women can excel in all fields, including the military.
She also commended the Nigerian Army for its strides in promoting gender inclusion and expressed confidence that Lieutenant Colonel Anele’s tenure would enhance the Army’s public image and foster stronger engagement with citizens.
The minister wished her success in her new role and reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to supporting women’s empowerment initiatives.
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