Secured Naija broke the news of the historic assumption of duty of Lt Col Anele, the first female Nigerian Army officer to hold the appointment of the Director Army Public Relations. She is not only the first female officer to hold the position in the history of the Nigerian Army, but also in the Armed Forces of Nigeria and West Africa.
The appointment of Anele has added colour, and the commendation accrues to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration as regards women’s inclusion in policymaking. It was not only a Nigerian Army appointment but in line with the grand strategic body language of President Ahmed Tinubu which the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen OO Oluyede as keyed into in running the Nigerian Army which in his command philosophy he says, he wants to lead by consolidating the transformation of the Nigerian Army towards bequeathing a well motivated and combat-ready force that can effectively discharge its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency environment.
In President Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, approximately 17.78% of ministerial positions are held by women, which is an improvement compared to previous administrations but still falls short of the 35% affirmative action target set by Nigeria’s National Gender Policy. However, in a grand move, an uncommon venture in an environment where men call the shots, the Lt. Col. OA Anele was appointed by Gen Oluyede as the first female Director of Army Public Relations, marking another significant role for women in government agencies.
Secured Naija gathered that the COAS could have appointed one of the male officers, many of whom are generals, to lead the Directorate of Army Public Relations and double as the Army spokesman. However, being a fair, firm, and compassionate commander, who gives equal opportunity to his subordinates to make input in repositioning the Army in line with his philosophy, Lt Gen Oluyede appointed Lt Col Anele against all odds.
Therefore, it is not only Lt Col OA Anele who made history as the first female officer to lead the Directorate of Army Public Relations, but also the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen OO Oluyede, who, against all odds, against many options, against pressures, decided to stick to Lt Col Anele, a younger officer, vibrant, humble, a professional who have been in the field of Public Relations for over 17 years.
Anele has been recognised for her exceptional leadership acumen, deep professional insight and strategic foresight in advancing military public communication. A firm believer in hard work and dedication, she 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.
Lt Col OA 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. She later attended the University of Jos, where she obtained a Diploma and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communication. She later attended the mandatory National Youth Service Corps and was commissioned Lieutenant into the Nigerian Army Directorate of Army Public Relations as a member of Direct Regular Course 15 on 8 December 2007.
She has attended many courses in the Army, and some international courses she has attended include, Crisis Information Management Course, Conflict Prevention Course and Integrated Peace Support Operations Course, all at the prestigious Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, Accra, Ghana, between 2011 and 2013. She further attended the Joint Information Operations Course and the Gender in Peace Support Operations Course at the Royal Air Force Halton, United Kingdom in July 2015 and at the École de Maintien de la Paix, Bamako, Mali in June 2015, respectively.
In 2017, Mrs Anele attended the Gender Training of Trainers Course at SwedInt, Sweden. In her quest to acquire more knowledge, she obtained a Master of Arts Degree in Gender Peace and Security, from the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Accra, Ghana in 2013.
Anele was the Public Relations Officer to Lt Gen TY Buratai.
Addressing officers, soldiers, and members of the press at the Army Headquarters in Abuja, Lt Col Anele described her appointment as not only significant but symbolic of the evolving inclusivity and forward-thinking direction of the Nigerian Army under the leadership of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General OO Oluyede.
Quoting her words, “This moment is one I do not take lightly, not only because of the enormous responsibilities that come with this office, but also because of the expectations and the historic significance of my appointment.”
Anele emphasised her commitment to leading the Directorate with transparency, professionalism, and proactive engagement, both with internal stakeholders and the media while promising to tell the Nigerian Army’s story, not just through words, but through actions that will reflect honour, sacrifice, responsibility, and service to the nation.
Secured Naija congratulates the COAS. Lt Gen Oluyede for making history out of history.
