The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has appointed Sani Takori, VinMartin Ilo and Steve Nwosu to key advisory and communications positions.
The appointments, which take effect immediately, were announced in a statement signed by NDC National Publicity Secretary Osa Director.
According to the party, the move is intended to strengthen administration, political strategy and communication around Dickson and the NDC as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather pace.
Takori takes political advisory role
Takori, a lawyer and experienced public administrator, has been appointed Political Adviser.
His public service career began in the former Sokoto State before he moved through several legal and judicial positions in Zamfara State, including Registrar, Magistrate, Solicitor-General and Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
He represented a constituency in the House of Representatives between 2003 and 2007.
Takori also obtained his party’s senatorial ticket for his district on four occasions but reportedly withdrew from the contests to support other party candidates who subsequently won.
His political résumé includes serving as the 2019 governorship candidate of the Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA) in Zamfara State.
The NDC said Takori was among the party’s founding members and served as its Protem National Secretary when the organisation was registered.
He has also served as a former local government chairman, National Legal Adviser to the Council of Ulamas and Chief Legal Officer of the Nigerian Electoral Commission. He was also Secretary of the Yarima presidential campaign in both 2003 and 2007.
Takori, 68, is from Gummi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Ilo named Chief Technical Adviser
VinMartin Ilo takes up the position of Chief Technical Adviser.
A veteran media professional, broadcaster and development consultant, Ilo has nearly four decades of experience spanning journalism, public service, strategic communication and development consultancy.
He studied Mass Communication, Development Studies, and International Relations and Strategic Studies, and is also an alumnus of Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
Ilo began his broadcasting career with Radio Nigeria, eventually becoming a Network Newscaster before moving to Africa Independent Television (AIT).
He left AIT in 2013 after serving as Director of Special Duties and South-East Operations.
His other public-sector roles include serving as Special Adviser on Media to the Enugu State governor and sitting on the Governing Board of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
Before his latest appointment, Ilo was President and Chief Executive Officer of Signature TV. He is from Enugu State.
Nwosu becomes spokesman
Veteran journalist and media executive Steve Nwosu has been appointed Spokesman.
Nwosu, described as a longtime associate of Dickson, has worked across print, television and digital journalism and has extensive experience in political communication, media management and consultancy.
He is also known for the syndicated satirical column “FRANKTALK.”
A graduate of the University of Nigeria and Lagos Business School, Nwosu has spent more than three decades in journalism and media entrepreneurship.
His career has included senior editorial positions at The Guardian and THISDAY, where he served in roles including Features Editor, Political Editor, Editor of THISDAY Style and Editor of THISDAY on Saturday.
He joined The Sun at its launch as pioneer Editor of Saturday Sun and subsequently became Editor of Daily Sun. He later served as Executive Director of Corporate Services, Deputy Managing Director and Deputy Editor-in-Chief.
Nwosu subsequently founded The Nigerian Xpress Newspaper and briefly served as Controller of News at PLUS TV Africa.
He has also served on the editorial boards of THISDAY and The Sun.
He currently heads Edibofa Communication and Publishing Ltd. as Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief. The company operates People’s FM 105.5 Abuja, People’s FM 93.1 Yenagoa, Universal Television Africa and The Nigerian Xpress Newspaper.
Nwosu spent eight years on the Standing Committee of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, initially representing the West Zone before becoming Treasurer.
Focus on Dickson and the NDC
The NDC said the three appointees will oversee briefs covering Dickson’s activities as National Leader of the party and as a serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The appointments give Dickson a team combining political experience, technical expertise and decades of media experience as the NDC positions itself for the 2027 electoral cycle.
Source: NAN