The Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, has approved the appointment of a new media team to strengthen strategic communication, digital engagement and public diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The appointments, according to a statement issued by the Ministry’s Spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, are aimed at supporting the effective communication of the Ministry’s mandate and the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government.

The newly appointed media team comprises Mr. Richard Elesho, who will serve as Special Assistant on Media and Strategic Communications, and Mr. Raphael Oni, appointed Special Assistant on Digital and Public Diplomacy.

The two communication professionals bring decades of combined experience spanning journalism, government communication, public affairs, diplomatic reporting, digital communication and media management.

Elesho Brings Extensive Government and Media Experience

Mr. Richard Elesho is a graduate of Delta State University, Abraka, and Kogi State University, Anyigba.

He previously served as Chief Press Secretary and Director General of Media Affairs to two former Governors of Kogi State, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris and Captain Idris Wada.

Prior to his new appointment, Elesho was the North Central Bureau Chief of The News/PM News, one of Nigeria’s established media organisations.

His extensive experience in political and government reporting, public communication and media relations is expected to contribute significantly to the Ministry’s strategic communication efforts.

Raphael Oni to Drive Digital and Public Diplomacy

Mr. Raphael Oni brings over 15 years of experience in government communication, public diplomacy, international relations and diplomatic reporting.

An award-winning photojournalist and diplomatic correspondent, Oni holds a Master’s Degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Abuja.

He is the Publisher of Diplomats Extra Magazine, a publication he founded in 2013 focusing on diplomacy and international affairs. The magazine has built a readership among Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government, diplomatic missions and other stakeholders in Nigeria and beyond.

Oni has also served two terms as Secretary General of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN) and as former Secretary General of the NUJ Correspondents Chapel, Abuja.

His background in diplomatic journalism and public diplomacy is expected to enhance the Ministry’s digital communication strategy and its engagement with local and international audiences.

A Strategic Step for Modern Diplomacy

The appointment of the new media team comes at a time when effective communication has become increasingly central to modern diplomacy and international relations.

Beyond reporting the activities of the Ministry, the team is expected to play an important role in communicating Nigeria’s foreign policy priorities, projecting the country’s image internationally and strengthening public understanding of the government’s diplomatic engagements.

With the growing influence of digital platforms, strategic communication and public diplomacy have become critical tools for governments seeking to engage citizens, the international community, diplomatic missions and global stakeholders.

The Ministry expressed confidence in the capacity of the two appointees to contribute meaningfully to its communication objectives and called for the necessary support and cooperation towards a cordial working relationship with the new team.

For Nigeria’s diplomatic community, media stakeholders and the Nigerian diaspora, the development is expected to further strengthen the communication of Nigeria’s foreign policy and diplomatic activities both at home and abroad.

Born in Libreville, Cynthia Bulot embodies a new generation of African creators who transform emotion into a visual language. A self-taught painter, she discovered her calling three years ago during the lockdown period, when the silence of the world gave rise to a profound new passion: painting. What might have remained a simple pastime quickly became an artistic revelation and a unique path of self-expression.

Since then, Cynthia Bulot has pursued a captivating creative journey, guided by the power of color, the sensitivity of gesture, and a deep search for meaning. Through each canvas, she explores not only shapes and textures, but also the roots of her own cultural identity. Her work becomes a dialogue between personal memory and collective heritage.

The paintings of Cynthia Bulot invite viewers into an intimate immersion in childhood memories, where images of the past are released from shades of black and white and reborn through a vibrant, luminous palette. Each composition celebrates transmission, joyful nostalgia, and the richness of ancestral traditions, subtly reimagined through a contemporary sensibility.

Through her sincere and instinctive art, Cynthia Bulot affirms that creativity can emerge in the most unexpected moments and become a powerful force for renewal. Her pictorial universe—authentic, bold, and deeply rooted—deserves the attention today of art lovers and international cultural circles alike.

By Uche EJIMS

Straddling the strategic heart of the Gulf of Guinea, Equatorial Guinea is leveraging its institutional stability, rich natural endowments, and prime geographic location to chart a decisive path toward becoming an emerging, diversified, and resilient economy by 2035. This ambition, formalized in the National Sustainable Development Strategy “Agenda Guinea Ecuatorial 2035” (adopted in 2021 following the Third National Economic Conference), aligns closely with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. It marks a deliberate shift from hydrocarbon dependence toward a balanced model of growth that prioritizes people, productivity, and planetary health.

The strategy rests on four interconnected pillars that mirror the user’s outline, providing a coherent roadmap for transformation in a region—and a global context—marked by energy transitions and economic volatility.

Eradicating Poverty, Social Inclusion, and Lasting Peace

Equatorial Guinea has anchored its development in social cohesion and stability as non-negotiable foundations. With poverty rates hovering around 50-57% amid recent economic pressures, the Agenda 2035 prioritizes massive investments in education, vocational training, healthcare access, and targeted inclusion policies for youth and women. These efforts aim to address multidimensional poverty, including nutrition, water, and basic services, while fostering a peaceful environment that attracts long-term investment.

In a volatile Gulf of Guinea region, the country’s relative institutional continuity offers a comparative edge, enabling a focus on shared prosperity rather than conflict. Progress here is essential: recent World Bank assessments highlight that sustained gains in human capital and social protection will be critical to reversing poverty trends exacerbated by food inflation and hydrocarbon decline.

Boosting Productivity, Economic Diversification, and Industrialization

Oil and gas have long dominated (still accounting for a large share of GDP, exports, and revenues), but maturing fields and declining production—evident in recent contractions—underscore the urgency of transformation. The Agenda 2035 drives a strategic pivot through:

– Development of industrial zones and local processing
– Modernization of ports and logistics
– Sustainable agriculture and agro-industry expansion (including revival of cocoa, coffee, and value chains like coconuts)
– Support for innovation, entrepreneurship, and emerging sectors such as the green, blue, digital, and “yellow” (likely agro/mining-related) economies

The goal is clear: generate quality jobs, add value domestically, and position the country as a competitive hub in Central Africa. Reforms to improve the business environment, financial inclusion, and infrastructure are underway, complemented by efforts toward WTO accession and private-sector-led growth. Non-hydrocarbon sectors are already showing resilience, though challenges like governance gaps and infrastructure deficits remain.

Environmental Sustainability and Territorial Development

With exceptional biodiversity—from tropical forests to marine ecosystems—Equatorial Guinea is embedding sustainability at the core of its vision. Priorities include preserving forests (via REDD + initiatives), advancing renewable energy, promoting balanced urban planning, and developing responsible ecotourism. Sites on Bioko Island and mainland national parks hold untapped potential as authentic, high-value destinations.

This pillar directly tackles climate risks and the post-oil transition, with strategies for low-carbon development and ecosystem services (e.g., wood processing linked to ecotourism and agriculture). An integrated approach—combining land-use planning, clean energy, and sustainable farming—could simultaneously protect natural capital and drive inclusive growth.
A Strategic Magnet for Investors and Tourism

Equatorial Guinea presents itself as an investor-friendly destination through political stability, ongoing economic reforms, modernizing infrastructure, and privileged access to Central African markets. Parallel efforts are elevating tourism with a premium offering: pristine nature, African hospitality, and upgraded facilities. Recent initiatives target barriers to entry and promote ecotourism as a diversification lever, while partnerships in fisheries, agro-processing, and digital sectors broaden appeal.

Outlook: A Model for Balanced African Development

By 2035, Equatorial Guinea aims not merely to adapt but to exemplify a new African development paradigm—one that harmonizes economic expansion, social equity, and environmental stewardship. This vision resonates with broader continental initiatives that seek to accelerate growth, deepen regional integration, and elevate Africa as a hub of innovation and opportunity.

Implementation will test resolve amid real headwinds: declining hydrocarbon revenues, the need for stronger governance and human capital investment, and global uncertainties. Yet the foundations—strategic location, resource base, and explicit policy alignment with global agendas—position the country to attract structuring partnerships and revalue its potential on the world stage.

Equatorial Guinea is more than a destination; it is a compelling opportunity for investors, partners, and visionaries committed to sustainable African success. With disciplined execution, the 2035 horizon could mark the emergence of a diversified, inclusive economy that delivers prosperity for its people while contributing meaningfully to the continent’s rise.

This narrative, rooted in the official Agenda 2035 framework, offers a forward-looking yet grounded perspective suitable for international news or investment publications—highlighting ambition without overlooking the structural shifts required for realization.

By Uche EJIMS
Making Africa Great Ahead
MAGAH