- * As Encomiums Shower On DSS Boss, Yusuf Magaji Bichi, For Innovating a New Directorate of Public Engagement
By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-chief) @CelestineOkaf11
The management of Department of State Services (DSS), on Wednesday, announced the appointment of its Spokesman, Dr Peter Nnochirionye Afunnanya, as Director of its newly established Directorate of Public Relations and Strategic Communications (DPRSC).
The elevation of Afunnanya to the top cadre of the State Security Service is part of the innovative moves by the management of the DSS led by its Director General, Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi, to reposition the nation's spy agency and make it more credible, public friendly, more responsive and accountable to the overall security interest of the country.
This new corporate initiative by Alhaji Bichi, according to DSS, is also an exercise designed to sustain the public engagement of the Security Service with the citizens and the public at large, as well as deepening democratic governance and transparency in its general operational conducts.
The new Directorate of Public Relations and Strategic Communications (DPRSC) now headed by Dr Peter Afunnanya, the erstwhile Public Relations Officer of the Service, fellow of the security institute (fsi) and a consumate professional in corporate reputation management, will be responsible for the public communications interactive of the DSS.
Afunnanya whose promotion is being adjudged to be an official affirmation of his competence and commendable performance so far on the job in his previous capacity as Public Relations Officer of the Service, had assumed his new role on Tuesday, September 26th, 2023, according to the official statement unveiling his promotion.
However, Dr Peter Nnochirionye Afunanya is coming to his new position and job beat with a well-heeled credential.
A statement on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 by the DSS new Directorate of Public Relations and Strategic Communications (DPRSC) and signed by Afunnanya himself, said the Director (Peter Afunnanya) has over 20 years vast and rich experience in various technical aspects of security management, stakeholder engagements and strategic cum development communication.
Specifically, Afunnanya has professional specialisation in the following areas: Intelligence analysis, threat assessment, security administration, VIP protection/detailing, investigation, counterterrorism, open source intelligence management, background checks and security vetting, surveillance, security sector/intelligence governance, democratic accountability in law enforcement, educational research, peace advocacy, alternative dispute resolution, development communication, inter-agency cooperation/liaison, joint operations, teaching, public and media relations, reputation management, strategic communication, protocol and diplomatic affairs, writing, public speaking, stakeholder engagement among others.
He is also a Doctorate degree (Ph.D) holder in Security and Strategic Studies which he bagged in 2019 from the Nasarawa State University, Keffi. Afunanya also possesses a Master's degree in Peace and Strategic Studies from the University of Ilorin, Kwara State from where he graduated in 2011. Similarly, he obtained a Master of Arts degree in English Language from the University of Uyo in 2009.
Dr Afunanya earlier graduated from the Abia State University, Uturu, in 1997 with a Second Class Upper Division in English Language. He was a recipient of President's NYSC National Honours Award for Outstanding Performance (1998/1999) Service Year. And also won the Edo State NYSC Meritorious Honours Award (1998/99) etc.
Since his enlistment into the DSS in 1999, Afunanya has attended many courses in leadership, management, executive intelligence management, preventing and countering violent extremism, as well as tradecrafts at the DSS training institutions. Some of his foreign training programmes include Innovation and Strategy at Harvard University USA; Web investigation, City University, London; Security Management and Coordination, ARC London; International Conflict, USA; Counterterrorism and Strategic Communication, Switzerland.
He has held many positions at the DSS Headquarters, Commands and Formations, the last being the Public Relations Officer. He was a member of the Board of National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and Sub Committee of the Presidential Transition Council. He currently serves as a member of the Strategic Communication Inter-Agency Policy and Coordination Committee (SC/IPCC) in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
Dr Afunnanya is a Fellow of the Security Institute (FSI) and member of many professional bodies including Society for Peace Scholars and Practice (SPSP), Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (NiCarb), Institute of Chartered Administration of Nigeria, Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN), Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON), American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS), Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).
According to the statement, Afunanya was also a recipient of the DSS Director-General's Meritorious Award (2021). He is known to be a strong team player, a patriot and committed community worker. He is married with children and loves photography, playing golf, volleyball, storytelling and writing poetry/short stories.
Meanwhile, encomiums have continued to pour in from both the management and well wishers for the Director General of the DSS, Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi, for what has been described as "his foresight initiative" to undertake the internal operational expansion and particularly for appointing Dr Peter Afunanya to pilot the new Strategic Communications Directorate. NNL.
