By Arinzechi Chukwunonso
National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, CON, has approved the appointment of Sani Takori, VinMartin Obiora Ilo and Steve Nwosu to key advisory and communications positions within his political office.
The appointments, which take immediate effect, see Takori emerge as Political Adviser, Ilo as Chief Technical Adviser (CTA), while Nwosu assumes the role of Spokesman.
According to a statement signed by the NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, Esq., the appointments are designed to strengthen the operations, administration, strategic planning and communication of both Senator Dickson’s office and the NDC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The statement described the three appointees as professionals with extensive experience and strong track records in their respective fields.
Takori, a lawyer and seasoned politician from Gummi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, brings decades of experience in law, public administration and politics to his new role.
He began his career in the old Sokoto State and subsequently served as Registrar, Magistrate, Solicitor-General and Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Zamfara State.
An alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Takori was elected to the House of Representatives between 2003 and 2007. He also secured his party’s senatorial ticket on four occasions but voluntarily stepped aside for candidates who eventually won the elections.
A founding member of the NDC, Takori served as the party’s Protem National Secretary during its registration. He was also the Zamfara State governorship candidate of the Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA) in the 2019 election.
His previous responsibilities include serving as a Local Government Chairman, National Legal Adviser to the Council of Ulamas, Chief Legal Officer of the Nigerian Electoral Commission, and Secretary of Yarima’s presidential campaign in 2003 and 2007.
Ilo, the newly appointed Chief Technical Adviser, is a veteran media executive, broadcaster and development and international relations expert with nearly four decades of experience spanning broadcasting, public service, strategic communication and development consultancy.
A graduate of Mass Communication from the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu, Ilo holds an MSc in Development Studies from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and a Master’s degree in International Relations and Strategic Studies from Lagos State University. He is also an alumnus of Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
He began his broadcasting 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 has also served as Special Adviser on Media to the Governor of Enugu State and as a member of the Governing Board of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). Until his latest appointment, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Signature TV.
Meanwhile, Nwosu, a long-standing associate of Senator Dickson, takes charge as Spokesman.
A multi-platform journalist, media administrator, consultant and political communication strategist, Nwosu has over 30 years of experience across print, broadcast and digital journalism.
He is the author of the widely syndicated satirical column, FrankTalk, and has held several senior editorial positions at major Nigerian newspapers, including The Guardian, ThisDay and The Sun.
At The Sun, where he joined at inception, Nwosu served as pioneer Editor of Saturday Sun, Editor of Daily Sun, Executive Director, Corporate Services, and later Deputy Managing Director and Deputy Editor-in-Chief.
He subsequently established The Nigerian Xpress Newspaper and currently serves as Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of Edibofa Communication and Publishing Limited, owners of People’s FM 105.5 Abuja, People’s FM 93.1 Yenagoa, Universal Television Africa (UTV Africa) and The Nigerian Xpress.
An Imo State indigene, Nwosu also served for eight years on the Standing Committee of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, first representing the West Zone and later as Treasurer.
The statement said the briefs of the three appointees would cover Senator Dickson’s activities both as National Leader of the NDC and as a serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The appointments are expected to reinforce the political, technical and communication structures around Senator Dickson and the NDC as preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
