National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has approved the appointment of Sani Takori as political adviser, VinMartin Obiora Ilo as chief technical adviser and Steve Nwosu as spokesman.
The appointments, which take immediate effect, are aimed at strengthening the operations, administration and strategic communication of Senator Dickson’s office and the NDC ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a statement yesterday, NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, said the three appointees brought extensive experience and professional competence to their new roles.
He described Ilo and Nwosu as professionals with track records of credibility and integrity, while Takori was described as a tested public administrator and politician with an impressive political résumé.
Takori, a lawyer, began his career in the old Sokoto State and served as Registrar, Magistrate, Solicitor-General and later Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Zamfara State.
An alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, he was elected to the House of Representatives from 2003 to 2007. He also secured his party’s senatorial ticket on four occasions but voluntarily stepped down for candidates who eventually won the elections.
Takori was the Zamfara State governorship candidate of the Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA) in the 2019 election. He is a founding member of the NDC and served as its Protem National Secretary during the party’s registration.
He was also a local government chairman, national legal adviser to the Council of Ulamas and chief legal officer of the Nigerian Electoral Commission. He served as secretary of the Yarima presidential campaign in 2003 and 2007.
Ilo, the new chief technical adviser, is a media executive, broadcast journalist and development and international relations expert with nearly four decades of experience in broadcasting, public service, strategic communication and development consultancy.
An alumnus of Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, he studied Mass Communication at the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu, and holds an MSc in Development Studies from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, as well as a Master’s Degree in International Relations and Strategic Studies from Lagos State University.
He began his career with Radio Nigeria, where he rose to become a Network Newscaster, before joining Africa Independent Television (AIT). He retired from AIT in 2013 as Director, Special Duties and South-East Operations.
Ilo, who previously served as Special Adviser on Media to the Enugu State Governor and as a member of the Governing Board of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), was until his appointment President and Chief Executive Officer of Signature TV.
Nwosu, a long-time associate of Dickson, is a journalist, media administrator, consultant and political communication strategist with more than 30 years’ experience across print, broadcasting and online media.
He is the columnist behind the widely syndicated satirical column, FRANKTALK.
A graduate of the University of Nigeria and Lagos Business School, Nwosu worked with The Guardian and ThisDay, where he served in various editorial capacities, including Features Editor, Political Editor, Editor of THISDAY Style and Editor of THISDAY on Saturday.
He joined The Sun at its inception as pioneer Editor of Saturday Sun, later becoming Editor of Daily Sun, Executive Director, Corporate Services, and Deputy Managing Director/Deputy Editor-in-Chief.
Nwosu subsequently established The Nigerian Xpress Newspaper and also had a brief stint with PLUSTV Africa as Controller of News.
He is currently Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of Edibofa Communication and Publishing Limited, publishers of The Nigerian Xpress and owners of People’s FM 105.5 Abuja, People’s FM 93.1 Yenagoa and Universal Television Africa (UTV Africa).
He served for eight years on the Standing Committee of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, first as a representative of the West Zone and later as Treasurer.
The statement said the responsibilities of the three appointees would cover Dickson’s activities both as NDC National Leader and as a serving senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.