By Gabriel Ameh
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, has approved the appointment of a new media team to strengthen communication of the Ministry’s mandate and the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The new team comprises Mr Richard Elesho, appointed as Special Assistant on Media and Strategic Communications, and Mr Raphael Oni, who will serve as Special Assistant on Digital and Public Diplomacy.
According to the Ministry, the two appointees bring extensive experience in journalism, government communication, public affairs, media management and diplomacy.
Elesho is a graduate of Delta State University, Abraka, and Kogi State University, Anyigba. He previously served as Chief Press Secretary and Director General of Media Affairs to former Kogi State Governors Ibrahim Idris and Idris Wada.
Before his new appointment, Elesho was the North Central Bureau Chief of The News/PM News, a leading Nigerian media organisation.
Oni, meanwhile, has more than 15 years of experience spanning diplomatic reporting, government communication, public diplomacy and international relations.
An award-winning photojournalist and diplomatic correspondent, Oni holds a Master’s Degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Abuja.
He is also the publisher of Diplomats Extra Magazine, a publication focused on diplomacy and international affairs which he has published since 2013.
The publication is widely read among government ministries, departments and agencies, diplomatic missions and other stakeholders in international affairs.
Oni has also served two terms as Secretary-General of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN) and as Secretary-General of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Correspondents Chapel, Abuja.
The Ministry expressed optimism that the new media team would contribute to more effective communication of Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives and enhance the country’s public and digital diplomacy efforts.
The Ministry also called for the necessary support and cooperation for the new appointees as they assume their responsibilities.
