The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, has appointed Richard Elesho and Raphael Oni as Special Assistants to strengthen media engagement, strategic communication and public diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The appointments, announced in a statement issued Tuesday by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, designate Elesho as Special Assistant on Media and Strategic Communications, while Oni will serve as Special Assistant on Digital and Public Diplomacy.
According to the Ministry, the appointments are aimed at enhancing the effective communication of its mandate and supporting the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government.
Elesho, a graduate of Delta State University, Abraka, and Kogi State University, Anyigba, brings extensive experience in journalism, media management and government communication to the new role.
He previously served as Chief Press Secretary and Director-General, Media Affairs, to former Kogi State Governors Ibrahim Idris and Idris Wada.
Until his latest appointment, Elesho was the North Central Bureau Chief of The News/PM News, where he covered major political and public affairs developments.
Oni, a diplomatic correspondent and award-winning photojournalist, has more than 15 years’ experience covering diplomacy, international relations, government and public affairs.
He holds a Master’s Degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Abuja and is the publisher of Diplomats Extra Magazine, a publication he has managed since 2013.
The magazine focuses on diplomacy and international affairs and has readership among government ministries, departments and agencies, diplomatic missions and other stakeholders.
Oni has also served two terms as Secretary-General of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN) and previously held the position of Secretary-General of the NUJ Correspondents Chapel, Abuja.
The Ministry described the two appointees as seasoned professionals whose combined experience in journalism, media management, government communication and public diplomacy would strengthen its communication architecture.
It urged stakeholders to extend the necessary cooperation to the new media team as they assume their responsibilities.
The Ministry expressed confidence that the appointments would enhance its engagement with the media, diplomatic community and the wider public while advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives.