The newly constituted Directorate of Public Relations and Strategic Communications will be led by Peter Nnochirionye Afunanya as its Supervising Director beginning on September 26, 2023, according to a statement from the Department of State Services.
The Times reported that the appointment is a part of the secret police’s efforts to strengthen democratic governance, transparency, and accountability while also maintaining connection with citizens and the general public.
Afunanya will also be in charge of the service’s public relations, according to a public statement made on September 27, 2023 by the Directorate of Public Relations and Strategic Relations of DSS at its National Headquarters in Abuja.
The DSS Director General, Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi CFR, fwc, was praised by the service in the statement for taking the initiative to expand the DSS and in particular for choosing Afunanya to lead the Directorate.
“Consequently, it has appointed Peter Nnochirionye Afunanya, Ph.D, fsi, the erstwhile Public Relations Officer, to head the Directorate as the supervising Director and also be in charge of the Service’s public communications. The appointment took effect from 26th September, 2023.
In order to oversee the Directorate and be in charge of the Service’s public communications, Peter Nnochirionye Afunanya, Ph.D., fsi, the former Public Relations Officer, was appointed. The appointment started on September 26, 2023.”
It added, “The Service has praised its Director General, Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi CFR, fwc, for taking the initiative to carry out the expansion and in particular for hiring Afunanya to pilot the Directorate.
According to the statement, Afunanya has over 20 years of vast and rich experience in intelligence analysis, threat assessment, security administration, VIP protection/detailing, investigation, counterterrorism, open source intelligence management, media relations, reputation management, strategic communication, protocol and diplomatic affairs, writing, public speaking, and stakeholder engagement, among other things.
”Afunanya holds a Ph.D. in Security and Strategic Studies from Nasarawa State University in Keffi and a Master’s in Peace and Strategic Studies from the University of Ilorin in Kwara State, where he graduated in 2011.”
In 2009, he also graduated with a Master of Arts in English Language from the University of Uyo. Afunanya had previously earned a Second-Class Upper Division in English Language from Abia State University, Uturu. He received awards such as the NYSC Meritorious Honours Award from the Edo State (1998/99) and the President’s NYSC National Honours Award for Outstanding Performance (1998/1999) Service Year.
‘Afunanya has taken numerous courses in leadership, management, executive intelligence management, preventing and countering violent extremism, as well as tradecrafts, at the Service’s training facilities since his membership in the DSS in 1999.
“Some of his international training programmes include Innovation and Strategy at Harvard University in the United States; Web Investigation at City University in London; Security Management and Coordination at ARC London; International Conflict in the United States; and Counterterrorism and Strategic Communication in Switzerland. His most recent role was Public Relations Officer at the Service’s Headquarters, Commands, and Formations.
He was on the National Broadcasting Commission’s board and the Presidential Transition Council’s subcommittee. He is currently a member of the Office of the National Security Advisor’s Strategic Communication Inter-Agency Policy and Coordination Committee.
He is a Fellow of the Security Institute and a member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Society for Industrial Security, the Institute of Chartered Administration of Nigeria, the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria, the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Institute of Management.
Afunanya received a DGSS Meritorious Award in 2021. He is a devoted community worker, a patriot, and a solid member of the team.
