- Senate confirms 67 ambassadorial nominees nationwide
- Reno Omokri and Femi Fani-Kayode make non-career list
- Lawmakers raise concern over Zamfara exclusion
- Senate assures more ambassadorial slots are coming
The Nigerian Senate has confirmed the appointment of Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, and several others as non-career ambassadors, approving a total of 67 ambassadorial nominees during plenary on Thursday in Abuja.
The confirmation followed the presentation of a report by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Senator Sani Bello, after which lawmakers adopted the committee’s recommendations.
ATTENTION: Click “HERE” to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!
In all, the Senate confirmed 34 career ambassadors and 30 non-career ambassadors, bringing Nigeria’s diplomatic appointments closer to full capacity.
However, the exercise was not without controversy. Senator Sahabi Yau raised an objection on the Senate floor, pointing out that no nominee from Zamfara State appeared on the list. He urged the chamber to formally notify the President about the omission.
Responding to the concern, the Senate President assured lawmakers that the current list was not exhaustive, adding that additional nominations would soon be forwarded to the Senate.
READ ALSO: Chaos in Zamfara as Angry Mob Attacks, Beats Up House of Reps Member
“This is not the final list. More ambassadorial nominees will be submitted, and no state will be left out,” the Senate President assured.
Among the career ambassadors confirmed are Arewa Esther (Oyo), Adeola-Ibrahim Mopelola (Ogun), Ramat Omonbolale (Lagos), Monica Enebechi (Anambra), Adams Jane Basset (Cross River), Mohammed Lele (Bauchi), and Muhammad Dahiru (Kaduna)
The non-career ambassadorial list includes Reno Omokri (Delta), Femi Fani-Kayode (Osun), Ita Enang (Akwa Ibom), Abdulrahman Dambazzau (Kano), Ibas Ibok-Ette (Cross River), Jerry Manwe (Taraba), Abas Braimah (Edo), Ajimobi Florence (Oyo), Sulola Akande (Oyo), and Uguwanyi Ifeanyi (Enugu).
The Senate had earlier confirmed three additional non-career ambassadors, raising the total number of confirmed nominees to 67.
