The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Appolonia Anele, has been promoted to the rank of Colonel by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, during a decoration ceremony held at the Army Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.

The COAS, who was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Major General Bamidele Alabi, said the elevation was in recognition of Anele’s commitment and professional contributions to the Nigerian Army. He noted that her performance had demonstrated the significance of effective public relations in sustaining the institution’s engagement with Nigerians.

Major General Alabi stressed that public communication remained a strategic component of military operations, particularly at a time the Armed Forces were engaged in several internal security tasks. He encouraged the Directorate of Army Public Relations to continue to adopt transparent and timely communication approaches that would enhance public trust and support for the military.

He further charged the newly promoted officer to continue to uphold the ethics of the military profession while guiding her subordinates in line with the goals of the Directorate.

Responding, Colonel Anele expressed appreciation to the military leadership for the confidence reposed in her, describing the promotion as a motivation to further contribute to the development of the Nigerian Army. She acknowledged the mentorship of both the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, and the COAS in shaping her career.

Present at the event were senior serving and retired officers, including former Army spokesperson Brigadier General Sani Usman Kukasheka (rtd) and Colonel Mustapha Anka (rtd), alongside family members and associates.