A new Spokesman has assumed office as the Acting Director, Defence Information, at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ). He is Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu.
The new Acting Director Defence Information (DDI) takes over from Brigadier General John Agim who recently retired from the Nigerian Army (NA) after a successful military career.
Until his appointment, Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu was the Deputy Director Public Relations, Headquarters Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole. Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu who is an alumnus of the University of Ibadan, holds a Masters Degree in International Affairs and Strategic Studies from the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Post Graduate School Kaduna.
He also has a Post Graduate Diploma in Advertising and Public Relations from the International Institute of Journalism Abuja.
Colonel Nwachukwu is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations. Since his commission into the Nigerian Army (NA), the senior officer has attended several military and professional courses as well as seminars within and outside the shores of Nigeria. T
hese include; Deputy Spokesman/Media Operations Course at the Joint Information Activities Group, Royal Airforce, Halton United Kingdom and Special Operations Command Course at the Shijizhuang Military Academy, China.
He has equally attended Strategic Communication Course at the Nigeria Army School of Public Relations and Information, Lagos and the Counter Terrorism Course, at the Infantry Corp Centre, Jaji, Kaduna State.
The new DDI has served in various Units and Commands within and outside the NA. He was Assistant Director Defence Information (NA), at the DHQ, Chief of Staff Headquarters Directorate of Army Public Relations and Public Relations Officer NDA. In addition, he was once served as the Media Coordinator, Joint Task Force Operation Pulo Shie
Speaking shortly before handing over to his successor, Brig-Gen Agim said, “Today marks my final official engagement, not only as the Director Defence Information, but also as a serving officer of the Nigerian Armed Forces. For me, it is not just a day to hand over Command of the Directorate of Defence Information to the new Acting Director, Defence Information, but also a day to give thanks to the Almighty God and the Armed Force of Nigeria.
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“When I look back at my career as a military Public Relations and Information Officer, I feel highly fulfilled not only for acquiring the highest level of educational qualifications and also becoming a fellow of the highly esteemed Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, but also, to have risen to the peak by serving as the spokesman for the Armed Forces of Nigeria. This feat I cannot take for granted.
“The task of managing the image and reputation of the Armed Forces is very important but quite challenging. This is because the activities and nature of military operations are one that have far reaching implications for the nation and its citizens. As a Public Relations and Information Officer, I am proud to say I dedicated my service years in the Armed Forces of Nigeria to managing its image and reputation to ensure that it gets the much needed public support in its operations which is key to military success.
“Having said this, I want to thank the Almighty God for keeping me alive until the successful completion of my service in the Armed Forces. I want to also most sincerely thank the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin for giving me all the support. Most of the successes achieved during this period could not have been possible without the enormous support of the CDS.
‘Let me also appreciate the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai for the opportunity to serve in the capacity I did. I must not forget to specially appreciate the personnel of the Directorate of Defence Information for their support towards the success of my tenure. I urge them to give more support to the incoming Director.
‘To my professional colleagues, Media Executives, President and members of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and most especially the Defence Correspondents, I want to thank you for your support and cooperation throughout my tenure as Director Defence Information and throughout my career as a Public Relations and Information Officer.
“I could not have been a successful military spokesman without your understanding and support. Let me also use this opportunity to appreciate my family for standing by me throughout my military career. I want to thank specially my beloved wife, Mrs Helen Enobong Agim for keeping the home front secured while I was away in service to our great nation. I also thank my second son Joseph Agim who is here to drive me home. Â
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