Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Appoints Elesho, Oni as New Media Aides…appointments take immediate effect

By Iyojo Ameh

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, has approved the appointment of two media professionals to strengthen the communication and public diplomacy efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The appointments, which take immediate effect, were announced on Tuesday in Abuja by the Ministry’s Spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.

The new appointees are Mr. Richard Elesho, who has been appointed Special Assistant on Media and Strategic Communications, and Mr. Raphael Oni, 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, particularly in the areas of strategic communication, digital engagement and public diplomacy.

Elesho brings extensive experience in journalism, government communication and media management to his new role.

A graduate of Delta State University, Abraka, and Kogi State University, Anyigba, he previously served as Chief Press Secretary and Director-General, Media Affairs, to two former Governors of Kogi State, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris and Capt. Idris Wada.

Until his latest appointment, Elesho was the North Central Bureau Chief of The News/PM News, a leading Nigerian media organisation.

Oni, on the other hand, is a veteran diplomatic correspondent and photojournalist with more than 15 years of 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, which he founded in 2013.

The publication focuses on diplomacy and international affairs and is widely read among government institutions, diplomatic missions and other stakeholders.

Oni has also held key leadership positions within the Nigerian media community. He 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 appointments are expected to bolster the Ministry’s media relations, digital communication and public diplomacy initiatives, while providing stronger platforms for communicating Nigeria’s foreign policy priorities and engagements to both domestic and international audiences.

The Ministry congratulated the two appointees and expressed confidence in their ability to bring their wealth of experience to bear on their new responsibilities.

Their appointments have also been welcomed by colleagues and stakeholders in the media and diplomatic communities, who are expected to support the new team in advancing effective communication and a productive relationship between the Ministry and the media.