A TRIBUTE TO THE LATE DAPR COL AM OLANIYAN (RTD) BY COL TO ANTIGHA (RTD)
My path and the late Col AM Olaniyan’s crossed in 1994 when, as a lieutenant, just out of the Academy, I had the good fortune of sharing office with him at the Headquarters Directorate of Army Public Relations (HQ DAPR) in Bonny Camp, Victoria Island, Lagos. He was Staff Officer (SO) Grade1 A/Q, while I was SO Grade 3 Information/Publicity. Then, a Major, he had just returned from the Gambia, where he was a contingent member of the Nigerian Army Training Assistance Group (NATAG).
The Director Army Public Relations (D APR) then, Col OE Okon (later Major General), also late, had directed that all subalterns serving in the Headquarters should be groomed in writing readable and intelligible articles. It was at this point that I came to learn, admire, and respect Col Olaniyan’s deep literary acumen. His command of both spoken and written English was without equal.
At an event at the Army Headquarters (AHQ) Command Mess 2 in Marina, Lagos, sometime in 1995, I observed a senior officer watch with envy and admiration as the late former D APR (MC at the occasion) delivered introductory remarks. 3 years later, I also witnessed the late former director dazzle participants and spectators alike during the closing ceremony of the 1998 Nigerian Army Small Arms Competition (NASAC) held at Odogbo Cantonment firing range in Ibadan. Again, in kaduna, during the 2005 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration at the Ramat Square, I watched with pride as Col Olaniyan mesmerised the audience with impeccable delivery of the history of Armed Forces Remembrance Day across the world.
The late director was not just a competent senior DAPR officer who would not be pushed around. He was also a passionate Public Relations professional, an astute administrator, and a devoted Director. He worked for the good of the directorate and cared about the future of DAPR officers and personnel. Whenever he had the opportunity, he ensured DAPR officers were positioned for visibility in the NA.
In November 2006, I had just completed 3 three-year tour of duty at the NDA as the Academy spokesman, when the late D APR posted me to the Armed Forces Command and Staff College in the same role. That posting ended the annexation of that office by Directing Staff for over 5 years. Also, while serving at the college, I received an invitation to join a team of masters of ceremony who were to conduct the handing and taking over ceremony between Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Umaru Yar’ Adua.
The late former director also ensured that DAPR officers were staff trained. A couple of my coursemates and I benefited from that initiative, which gave us a better grounding.
As a DAPR officer, Col Olaniyan proved his mettle, and as a director, he understood his mission, which, in my view, he accomplished with distinction. As we continue to grieve and reflect on the time and leadership of our late D APR, I honour and salute the memory of the late Col AM Olaniyan and pray for the repose of his soul.
Col TO Antigha (Rtd)
Executive Director
Armed Forces Radio Service.
