Lieutenant Colonel Onyechi Appolonia Anele makes superlative strides in her Public Relations outings at the Nigerian Army, hence earning her appointment into the prestigious office of the Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), the first female officer to occupy the office
By Udoka Ekeleme, Abuja
On Tuesday, April 22, 2025, history was made at the Nigerian Army headquarters in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. It was the day a thoroughbred Public Relations expert, Lieutenant Colonel Onyechi Appolonia Anele, took over as the acting Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR). Anele is the first female officer to be appointed to the lofty position in the Nigerian Army since the office was created. She took over from her immediate predecessor, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu in a ceremony for the purpose held at the Army headquarters.
Major General Nwachukwu was transferred to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, Abuja. Expressing her feelings at the handover ceremony, the new Army spokesperson said she was grateful to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede for finding her worthy to occupy the office. She also acknowledged the hard work of her predecessor, Nwachukwu, including his resilience, passion and professionalism which laid the foundation for the Directorate and enhanced Nigerian Army’s image and strategic communication.
Anele, therefore, pledged to remain focused, committed, loyal, as well as to discharge her duties most promptly with high level of professionalism.
Anele’s profile sighted by Tentacle reveals a seasoned, versatile and highly accomplished Public Relations, Crisis and Strategic Communication expert with a steadfast commitment to excellence, discipline and service. She is widely recognised for her exceptional leadership capacity, deep professional insight and strategic foresight in advancing Military Public Communication.
She is a firm believer in hard work and dedication, and brings to her new role a wealth of experience cultivated through years of impactful service in diverse command, instructional and public engagement capacities within the Nigerian Army and international peacekeeping missions. Destined for greater heights in career and life, she was born to the family of late Warrant Officer Cyraicus Anele and Mrs Appolonia Anele (now late) and hails from Ehime-Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
In the same profile, Lt Col. Anele had her primary school education at Army Children’s School, Rukuba Barracks and her secondary education at Command Day Secondary School, both in Jos, Plateau State. Anele attended the University of Jos where she obtained a Diploma and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communication respectively. Upon her graduation, she attended the mandatory National Youth Service Corp and thereafter was commissioned Lieutenant into the Nigerian Army Directorate of Army Public Relations as a member of Direct Regular Course 15 on December 8, 2007.
