From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Senate on Thursday confirmed 64 nominees for career and non-career ambassadorial appointments following the adoption of a report by its Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The confirmation came after the committee’s chairman, Senator Sani Bello (APC, Niger North), presented the outcome of the screening exercise, with lawmakers unanimously endorsing the recommendations.
Of the 64 nominees, 34 were confirmed as Career Ambassadors and High Commissioners, while 30 were cleared as Non-Career Ambassadors and High Commissioners.
Those confirmed as non-career ambassadors include Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (APC, Ondo South); former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu; Senator Ita Enang; Reno Omokri; Senator Grace Bent; and Senator Professor Nora Ladi Daduut.
Others on the list are Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd), former Chief of Naval Staff and immediate past sole administrator of Rivers State from Cross River State; former Minister of Interior and former Chief of Army Staff, Abdulrahman Dambazau; former Minister of Health, Femi Fani-Kayode; former Imo State First Lady, Chioma Ohakim; Erelu Angela Adebayo (Ekiti State); and Florence Ajimobi (Oyo State).
Among the 34 career ambassadorial nominees confirmed are Sulu-Gambari Olatunji Ahmed (Kwara State), Segun Ige (Edo State) and Odumah Yvonne Ehinosen (also from Edo State).
Presenting the report, Bello said all nominees were found suitable for the appointments, adding that no petitions were received against any of them.
He recalled that Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, the first nominee screened, was warmly received as a serving senator and member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs.
During deliberations, Senator Sahabi Yau raised concerns over the absence of a nominee from Zamfara State and urged the Senate to formally notify President Bola Tinubu.
Responding, Senate President Godswill Akpabio acknowledged the concern, noting that the list before the chamber was not exhaustive.
Akpabio assured lawmakers that the President would be informed and that additional ambassadorial nominees were expected, adding that Zamfara State would be accommodated in subsequent appointments.
Congratulating the confirmed nominees, the Senate President urged them to serve as worthy representatives of Nigeria in their respective postings.
He also encouraged Senator Ibrahim to remain engaged with the National Assembly, noting that the Senate would continue to benefit from his experience and insight.
