Bolaji Idowu
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday transmitted a fresh batch of 32 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation.
The request came barely 24 hours after the upper chamber began screening an earlier set of three nominees forwarded by the President.
Tinubu’s letter was read at plenary by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who said the President urged lawmakers to give the nominations urgent consideration.
In the letter, Tinubu requested the Senate to “consider and confirm expeditiously” 15 career and 17 non-career ambassadorial nominees.
“I am pleased to present for confirmation the list of the 32 ambassadorial nominees for the positions of career ambassadors, non-career ambassadors and high commissioners,” the letter read in part.
The list reflects modest progress toward gender inclusion, with four women among the career nominees and six on the non-career list.
Prominent among the 17 non-career nominees are Reno Omokri, a former presidential aide; Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, former Lagos deputy governor; Otunba Femi Pedro, former Aviation Minister; former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; and Senator Jimoh Ibrahim.
NON-CAREER NOMINEES
1. Ogbonnaya Kalu (Abia)
2. Reno Omokri (Delta)
3. Prof. Mahmood Yakubu (Bauchi)
4. Erelu Bisi Angela Adebayo (Ekiti)
5. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu)
6. Tasiu Musa Maigari (Katsina)
7. Yakubu N. Gambo (Plateau)
8. Prof. Nora Ladi Daduut (Plateau)
9. Otunba Femi Pedro (Lagos)
10. Chief Femi Fani-Kayode (Osun)
11. Barr. Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu (Anambra)
12. Fatima Florence Ajimobi (Oyo)
13. Lola Akande (Lagos)
14. Grace Bent (Adamawa)
15. Dr Victor Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia)
16. Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo)
17. Ambassador Paul Oga Adikwu (Benue)
CAREER NOMINEES
1. Enebechi Monica Okwuchukwu (Abia)
2. Yakubu Nyaku Danladi (Taraba)
3. Miamuna Ibrahim Besto (Adamawa)
4. Musa Musa Abubakar (Kebbi)
5. Syndoph Paebi Endoni (Bayelsa)
6. Chima Geoffrey Lioma David (Ebonyi)
7. Mopelola Adeola-Ibrahim (Ogun)
8. Abimbola Samuel Reuben (Ondo)
9. Yvonne Ehinosen Odumah (Edo)
10. Hamza Mohammed Salau (Niger)
11. Ambassador Shehu Barde (Katsina)
12. Ambassador Ahmed Mohammed Monguno (Borno)
13. Ambassador Muhammad Saidu Dahiru (Kaduna)
14. Ambassador Olatunji Ahmed Sulu Gambari (Kwara)
15. Ambassador Wahab Adekola Akande (Osun)
After unveiling the nominees, Akpabio referred the list to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs for screening and directed the committee to report back within one week.
The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs had, on Wednesday, commenced the screening of an initial set of three ambassadorial nominees earlier transmitted by Tinubu.
In a separate letter read last week, the President sought the confirmation of Kayode Are (Ogun), Aminu Dalhatu (Jigawa), and Ayodele Oke (Oyo).
The early transmission of the three names ahead of Thursday’s larger list is seen as part of the administration’s phased approach to filling strategic diplomatic positions.
The nominees appeared before the committee, chaired by former Niger State governor, Senator Sani Bello. Bello disclosed that during the session, Ayodele Oke addressed and cleared allegations previously raised against him.
The committee’s report on the three earlier nominees is expected to be laid before the Senate for consideration in the coming days, even as screening begins on the new batch.