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. These 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 once served as the Media Coordinator, Joint Task Force Operation Pulo Shield, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The new Acting DDI has participated in the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) as Military Public Information Officer.
His acceptance speech
REMARKS BY INCOMING ACTING DIRECTOR DEFENCE INFORMATION COLONEL ONYEMA NWACHUKWU DSS GOM MNIPR PGDAP MIASS ON ASSUMPTION OF OFFICE AT THE DIRECTORATE OF DEFENCE INFORMATION DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS ON FRIDAY 22 FEBUARY 2019
1. It is a great pleasure to address this graceful gathering on the occasion of my assumption of office as the Acting Director Defence Information (DDI). I must begin by gratefully acknowledging and appreciating God Almighty for making this day a reality. May I also express my profound gratitude to the Chief of Defence Staff General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin and the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai for giving me the opportunity to serve in my new capacity and office. It is indeed an opportunity to contribute my quota, as an information, image and reputation manager, to the actualization of the vision of the Chief of Defence Staff, which is, "to ensure a well-motivated, trained and equipped Armed Forces that is responsive to national security commitment".
2. There is no gainsaying, that contemporary security challenges have orchestrated a paradigm shift from the traditional interstate warfare between nation states to intra state conflicts, engendering a plethora of security challenges such as terrorism, insurgency, militancy, banditry and other sundry crimes. These developments have been most times, overwhelming for the paramilitary agencies, thereby occasioning the invitation of the military to act in aid of civil authority to restore law and other and ensure peace and stability. Therefore, in addition to the defence of Nigeria's territorial integrity, the Armed Forces of Nigeria is engrossed in containing security challenges that are of internal disposition. I therefore urge you to use your respective reputable media to support and appreciate the AFN for its commitment and steadfastness in ensuring national security. I also enjoin you to encourage the general public to do same, as this will to a large extent motivate our troops and shore up their morale as they carry out the herculean task of defending the nation.
4. May I seize this opportunity to remind us as media and public relations professionals, that publicity has been severally identified as the oxygen of terrorism. It is the life of the terrorists and keeps them going. Terrorism is a societal ill and an aberration. It is a threat to our collective peace, unity and national development and must not be allowed to thrive. It is therefore pertinent, to work hands in gloves to deny our common adversary the oxygen of publicity and crush the grandiose ego of terrorism.
5. At this juncture, I must profoundly appreciate members of the press, for being very professional in our common quest to fight terrorism and insurgency in the North East for the enthronement of peace and national security. I must acknowledge, that as critical stakeholders, you have defied danger and death usually associated with violent extremism by resolutely remaining firm in exposing the ills of terrorism and the hardship and trauma to which innocent citizens have been exposed. Coming from the north east theatre of operation, I have observed as you diligently went about your duties to promote justice, fairness and equity in your reportage in the face of crisis. I therefore congratulate you for the good job and sincerely thank you for your tremendous support and cooperation thus far. I implore you not to relent but rather redouble your effort in supporting the AFN until we rid our society of these criminals.
6. I must also express my gratitude to the outgoing DDI, Brig Gen John Agim for his candour and professionalism in steering the affairs of the Directorate of Defence Information in the past couple of years to this enviable height and to wish him utmost success in his future endeavours as he bows out, after a meritorious service in the AFN. May I equally leverage on this window of opportunity to humbly solicit the cooperation and support of the services spokespersons and other stakeholders, as I assume office as the Acting DDI. Your professional inputs from time to time will be undeniably welcomed. I sincerely appreciate all senior officers, Media and Public Relations Executives as well as Defence Correspondents for your esteemed presence at this occasion, despite your very busy schedules.
ONYEMA NWACHUKWU
Colonel
Acting Director Defence Information
Tags
Society