By Sharon Akuboh
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, has approved the appointment of a new media team to enhance strategic communication of the Ministry’s mandate, diplomatic activities and the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government.
The newly appointed media aides are Mr. Richard Elesho, Special Assistant on Media and Strategic Communications, and Mr. Raphael Oni, Special Assistant on Digital and Public Diplomacy.
The two media professionals bring extensive experience in journalism, public affairs, government communication, diplomacy and media management to their new responsibilities.
Elesho, a graduate of Delta State University, Abraka, and Kogi State University, Anyigba, previously served as Chief Press Secretary/Director General, Media Affairs, to two former Governors of Kogi State, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris and Captain Idris Wada. Until his latest appointment, he was the North Central Bureau Chief of The News/PM News, a leading Nigerian media organisation.
Oni, a specialist in diplomatic reporting, has more than 15 years of experience spanning government communication, public diplomacy and international relations. An award-winning photojournalist and diplomatic correspondent, he 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 he has led since 2013 and which focuses on diplomacy and international affairs and is widely read by government agencies, diplomatic missions and other stakeholders.
He has served two terms as Secretary-General of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN) and was also Secretary-General of the NUJ Correspondents Chapel, Abuja.
The Ministry expressed confidence that the new media team would contribute significantly to strengthening its public communication, digital engagement and projection of Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives.
The Ministry called on stakeholders, members of the diplomatic community and the media to extend the necessary support and cooperation to the new appointees as they commence their duties.
Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa
Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs