NDC national leader Dickson appoints political, technical, media aides

The National Leader of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Sen. Henry Seriake Dickson, has appointed Sani Takori, VinMartin Ilo and Steve Nwosu as Political Adviser, Chief Technical Adviser and Spokesman, respectively.

This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja, and signed by National Publicity Secretary of the NDC, Osa Director.

According to the statement, the appointments, which take effect immediately, are aimed at strengthening operations, administration and strategic communication around Dickson and the NDC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Ilo and Nwosu bring to their new roles extensive experience, professionalism, credibility and integrity, while Takori is a tested public administrator with an impressive political and legal career, it said.

Takori, a lawyer, 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 served in the House of Representatives from 2003 to 2007.

He also secured his party’s senatorial ticket for his district on four occasions but voluntarily stepped down for candidates who eventually won the elections for the party.

The statement described Takori as a committed party man, noting that he was the Zamfara governorship candidate of the Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA) in the 2019 election.

It added that he was a founding member of the NDC and served as its Protem National Secretary when the party was registered.

Takori, a former Local Government Chairman, also served as National Legal Adviser to the Council of Ulamas and Chief Legal Officer of the Nigerian Electoral Commission.

He was Secretary of the Yarima Presidential Campaign in 2007, having served in the same capacity in 2003.

The 68-year-old politician and lawyer hails from Gummi Local Government Area of Zamfara.

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 communications and development consultancy.

An alumnus of the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Ilo holds degrees in Mass Communication, Development Studies, and International Relations and Strategic Studies.

He began his career with Radio Nigeria, where he rose to become a Network Newscaster before joining Africa Independent Television (AIT).

Ilo retired from AIT in 2013 as Director, Special Duties and South-East Operations.

He 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 appointment, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Signature TV. He hails from Enugu State.

Similarly, Nwosu, a long-standing associate of Dickson, is a multi-platform journalist, media administrator, consultant and political communication strategist with experience across print, broadcasting and online media.

He is also a columnist and writer of the syndicated satirical weekly column, “FRANKTALK”.

A graduate of the University of Nigeria and Lagos Business School, Nwosu has over 30 years’ experience in journalism and media entrepreneurship.

He worked with The Guardian and THISDAY newspapers, where he held positions including Features Editor, Political Editor, Editor of THISDAY Style and Editor of THISDAY on Saturday.

Nwosu joined The Sun Newspapers at inception as pioneer Editor of Saturday Sun and later became Editor of Daily Sun, Executive Director, Corporate Services, Deputy Managing Director and Deputy Editor-in-Chief.

He later established The Nigerian Xpress Newspaper and had a brief stint with PLUS TV Africa as Controller of News.

Nwosu also served on the Editorial Boards of THISDAY and The Sun newspapers.

He is currently the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of Edibofa Communication and Publishing Ltd., owners of People’s FM 105.5 Abuja, People’s FM 93.1 Yenagoa, Universal Television Africa and The Nigerian Xpress Newspaper.

For eight years, he served 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 briefs of the three appointees would cover Dickson’s activities as NDC National Leader and as a serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.