The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, has approved the appointment of a new media team to strengthen the Ministry’s strategic communication and promote the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government.
The new team comprises Richard Elesho, who has been appointed Special Assistant on Media and Strategic Communications, and Raphael Oni, Special Assistant on Digital and Public Diplomacy.
A statement by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, said the two appointees bring extensive experience in journalism, public affairs, government communication, public diplomacy and media management.
Elesho, a graduate of Delta State University, Abraka, and Kogi State University, Anyigba, previously served as Chief Press Secretary and Director-General of Media Affairs to former Kogi State Governors Ibrahim Idris and Idris Wada.
Until his latest appointment, he was the North Central Bureau Chief of The News/PM News.
Oni, a diplomatic reporting specialist with over 15 years’ experience, has worked across 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 has also been the Publisher of Diplomats Extra Magazine since 2013, a publication dedicated to diplomacy and international affairs and read by government ministries, departments and agencies, diplomatic missions and other stakeholders.
Oni served two terms as Secretary-General of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN) and previously held the same position at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Correspondents Chapel, Abuja.
The Ministry expressed confidence that the appointments would strengthen its communication strategy, particularly in strategic communications, digital diplomacy and public engagement.
It also called on stakeholders to extend the necessary support and cooperation to the new media team, expressing optimism that the appointments would foster a cordial and productive working relationship.
