Senate confirms 41 ambassadorial nominees, suspends screening of nominee from Niger

The Senate on Wednesday confirmed President Muhammadu Buhari’s nominations for appointment as career and non-career ambassadors.

The development followed a motion for the consideration of Report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs by Senator Bulkachuwa Adamu.

Senator Bamidele Opeyemi seconded the motion that “the Senate do receive and consider the report.”

In his presentation, Senator Bulkachuwa said the Committee suspended the screening of the nominee from Niger State, pending the resolution of the issues surrounding his nomination from his state.

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He added that the Committee stood down the screening of the nominee from Yobe State to a later date until issues relating to his nomination were resolved.

Senator Bulkachuwa further stated that two other nominees could not appear before the Committee due to the COVID-19 lock-down.

In his contribution, Senator Yusuf Yusuf said “The nominee from my State is not known to me. I don’t know him and therefore move for the Senate to step down his confirmation for further consultation.”

The Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan, urged the lawmakers to always look, at the larger picture, adding that it was fair that they also looked at nominees from other places if there was none from their state.

“Let me say that we should be looking at the larger picture. If you don’t have a Nominee for Ambassadorial appointment in your place and you have other appointments in your place, it is fair that we also look at Nominees from other place.

“I will advise that where we have a State where two Senators have not had an engagement with the nominee, we will encourage that the interaction should take place before confirmation.” Lawan said.

Senate later dissolved into the Committee of the Whole for the confirmation of the nominees.

Senate reverted to plenary and reported progress.

Senate confirmed the nominees except the nominee from Niger State, Air Commodore Peter Ndabake Gana (retd).

The Senate President encouraged those nominees who have failed to interact with the Senators from their state to do so before they are posted.

“I want to send this message to those nominees who have failed to interact with the Senators from their state.

“It is the interest of everyone that we have the interaction take place; it is instructive that we have this interaction. It is very important that before you (nominees) are posted, you do that and we would like to hear that has taken place.” Lawan said.

Full List of Nominees Confirmed as Ambassadors:

1. Engr. Omar Suleiman – Non-Career Ambassador- Adamawa State
   2. Mr. Kevin Peter – Non-Career Ambassador – Adamawa State
   3. Chief Elejah Onyeagba – Non-Career Ambassador – Anambra State
   4. Prof. Monique Ekpong (F) – Non-Career Ambassador – Corss River State
   5. Ominyi N. Eze – Non-Career Ambassador – Ebonyi State
   6. Yamah Mohammed Musa – Non-Career Ambassador – Edo State
   7. Maj. Gen. C. O. Ugwu – Non-Career Ambassador – Enugu State
   8. Dr. Hajara I. Salim (F) – Non-Career Ambassador – Gombe State
   9. Amb. Yahaya Lawal – Non-Career Ambassador – Katsina State
   10. Ademola Seriki – Non-Career Ambassador – Lagos State
   11. Chief Sarafa Tunji Isola – Non-Career Ambassador – Ogun State
   12. Adejare Bello – Non-Career Ambassador – Osun State
   13. John. J. Usanga – Non-Career Ambassador – Akwa-Ibom State
   14. Hamisu Umar Takalmawa – Non-Career Ambassador – Kano State
   15. Philip K. Ikurusi – Non-Career Ambassador – Bayelsa State
   16. Hon. Tarzoor Terhemen – Non-Career Ambassador – Benue State
   17. Al-Bashir Ibrahim Al-Hussain – Non-Career Ambassador – Borno State
   18. Obiezu Ijeoma Chinyerem (F) – Non-Career Ambassador – Imo State
   19. Ali M. Magashi – Non-Career Ambassador – Jigawa State
   20. Prof. M. A. Makarfi – Non-Career Ambassador – Kaduna State
   21. Henry John Omaku – Non-Career Ambassador – Nasarawa State
   22. Sadiya Ahmad Nuhu (F) – Non-Career Ambassador – Kano State
   23. Air Commodore Peter Ndabake Gana Rtd. – Non-Career Ambassador – Niger State
   24. Adeshina Alege – Non-Career Ambassador – Oyo State
   25. Shehu Abdullahi Yibaikwal – Non-Career Ambassador – Plateau State
   26. Hon. Maureen Tamuno (F) – Non-Career Ambassador – Rivers State
   27. Faruk Yabo – Non-Career Ambassador – Sokoto State
   28. Abubakar Moriki – Non-Career Ambassador – Zamfara State
   29. Adamu M. Hassan – Non-Career Ambassador – Taraba State
   30. Ibrahim Danlami Abubakar – Non-Career Ambassador – Bauchi State
   31. Paul Oga Adikwu – Non-Career Ambassador – Benue State
   32. Jazuli Imam Galandanci – Non-Career Ambassador – Kano State
   33. Olun’dare Philip Awoniyi – Non-Career Ambassador – Kogi State
   34. Kayode Ibrahim Laro – Non-Career Ambassador – Kwara State
   35. Abioye Mohammed Bello – Non-Career Ambassador – Kwara State
   36. Zahra Mu’azu Omar (F) – Non-Career Ambassador – Kwara State
   37. Mrs. Opunimi Orikaba Akinkugbe (F) – Non-Career Ambassador – Ondo State
   38. Debo Adesina – Non-Career Ambassador – Oyo State
   39. Ms. Folakemi Akinyele (F) – Non-Career Ambassador – Oyo State
   40. Mr. Suleiman Sani – Career Ambassador – FCT
   41. Oma Djebah – Non-Career Ambassador – Delta State