By Joy Odor Defence Correspondent
In a ceremony marked by precision, pride, and symbolism, the Nigerian Army reinforced the strategic importance of public communication on 9 December 2025, when the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu (NAM), decorated the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Appolonia Anele, with the distinguished rank of Colonel.
The brief but powerful event at Army Headquarters, Abuja, was more than a routine promotion.
It was a statement that narrative leadership is now a core pillar of national defence.
Colonel Anele’s elevation comes after years of unwavering service, relentless professionalism, and a reputation for disciplined communication in one of the military’s most demanding directorates.
The COAS, represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Major General Bamidele Alabi, praised her steadfast dedication, describing her rise as both earned and essential.
Then came the message that set the tone for the day:
Public trust, he said, is no longer optional, it is a strategic enabler of military operations.
Major General Alabi, speaking for the Army Chief, underscored a reality the military has increasingly recognized:
“Operations succeed where trust is strong. Trust grows where communication is credible.
And credible communication begins with leadership.”
In a time of misinformation, heightened public scrutiny, and evolving security threats, the Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR) is carrying more operational weight than ever.
The COAS charged the directorate to:
Sustain transparent and accountable engagement with the public
Deliver timely, accurate information
Protect the Army’s image with integrity
Uphold professional standards that strengthen national confidence
The message was unmistakable:
The battlefield is physical — but the narrative front is just as critical.
Decorated with her new insignia, Colonel Anele listened as the Army Chief outlined her mandate:
Lead with discipline and loyalty
Mentor and grow the next generation of military communicators
Build the Directorate’s effectiveness and strategic capacity
Her promotion places her at the helm of a directorate shaping how Nigerians understand the Army’s operations, achievements, and sacrifices.
In her vote of thanks, the newly decorated Colonel Anele expressed deep gratitude, first to God, then to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, and the COAS, for what she called their visionary leadership and purposeful mentorship.
She acknowledged the trust placed in her and vowed to strengthen the Directorate’s professionalism and strategic impact.
Her humility and resolve drew applause from colleagues and dignitaries in attendance.
The ceremony drew an impressive line-up including:
Brigadier General Sani Usman Kukasheka (Rtd.), mni, former Army Spokesperson
Colonel Mustapha Anka (Rtd.), mni
Senior officers serving and retired
Family members, friends, and well-wishers
Their presence underscored the weight of the appointment and the respect Colonel Anele commands across military and public communication circles.
Beyond the rank pins and salutes, the ceremony signaled something deeper:
The Nigerian Army is expanding the frontlines of national defence —
from kinetic operations to strategic communication.
By elevating a spokesperson to Colonel, the COAS has made it clear that:
Credibility is firepower
Public trust is operational currency
And narrative leadership is a strategic capability.
In a nation navigating complex security realities, every message, every briefing, and every public engagement shapes confidence in the Armed Forces.
As the Nigerian Army sharpens its operational edge, it is also sharpening its voice and on December 9, 2025, that voice was promoted.
Colonel Appolonia Anele now carries not just a new rank, but a national responsibility: to hold the line where communication meets security, and where trust fuels victory.
