A retired Air Commodore and former Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI), Nigerian Air Force, Yusuf Anas, has been appointed the Executive Secretary of the newly established Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC).

The Centre, a brainchild of the Forum of Spokespersons of Security and Response Agencies (FOSSRA), will serve as think-tank and clearing house for crisis communication in the country.

FOSSRA members include the spokespersons of the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Nigerian Army (NA), Nigerian Navy (NN), Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Department of State Service (DSS), Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA), Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Prison Service (NPS), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Federal Fire Service, and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

Among other mandates, the centre which is Non-Governmental and independent will be actively involved in research works and publications. It will also collect, process, harmonise and provide information on crisis management in the country. This is with a view to providing credible and professional crisis communication to the stakeholders and the general public. It will also provide capacity building and advocacy programmes for the stakeholders.

Air Commodore Anas who holds a Bachelors Degree in Political Science and a Masters Degree in International Relations and Strategic Studies is a member of 27 Regular Course of Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).

He also holds Diplomas in Journalism from both Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) and International Public Relations Business School, London. Anas was commissioned Pilot Officer on 4 July 1982. He served as director of Public Relations and Information under six Chiefs of Air Staff and attended several civil courses at home and abroad.

He belongs to a number of professional associations including International Public Relations Association (IPRA), Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), African Public Relations Association (APRA), Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), among others.

•Photo shows Yusuf Anas.