BREAKING: DSS Appoints PhD Student Spokesperson

After operating for more than two years without a spokesperson under Mallam Lawal Daura’s watch, the Department of State Services (DSS) has finally appointed a spokesman in the person of Mr. PN. Afunanya.

Prior to Afunanya ’s appointment, it was impossible for the media to reach the agency through an official spokesperson. The new development comes barely two weeks after Acting President Yemi Osinbajo ordered the summary sack of Mr Daura for unleashing his men on the National Assembly about a fortnight ago.

The DSS announced the appointment of Afunanya, who is a PhD student in Security Management and Strategic Studies, in a statement on Friday.

The new spokesperson takes the role of Mr Tony Opuiyo who last served as the agency’s official spokesperson.

According to the statement, Mr Afunanya is currently pursing his PhD degree at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi.

He is said to hold a “BA. English (1997), Abia State University, Uturu; MA. English (2009), University of Uyo; and MA. Peace and Strategic Studies (2011), University of Ilorin.”

DSS said the Afunanya “has attended several courses within and outside Nigeria namely: Innovation and Strategy at Harvard University, Boston, USA; Security Management and Coordination, London and Investigative Journalism at City University, London. Other courses he has attended are on Leadership, Arbitration, Conflict Management/Resolution, Negotiation and Public Communication among others. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the DSS’ in-house Magazine, The Triple S.”

The new spokesman is a member of the following associations: Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (NiCarb); Nigerian Red Cross (NRC); Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM); Nigerian Institute for Industrial Security (NIIS); Society for Peace Scholars and Practice (SPSP); American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS) and the Institute of Corporate Administration (ICA).