Several ambassadorial nominees, including Reno Omokri, Senator Grace Bent, and former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode, on Thursday, arrived at the National Assembly for their screening by the Senate.
Former Interior Minister Abdulrahman Dambazau, former INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu, and former governor of Enugu State Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi were also spotted at the NASS.
Their appearance comes two weeks after President Bola Tinubu forwarded a 32-man ambassadorial nominees’ list to the Senate for confirmation on November 29.
The list comprises 15 career ambassadors and 17 non-career ambassadors.
According to the Presidency, the nominees will be posted to countries with which Nigeria maintains diplomatic relations, as well as international organisations such as the United Nations.
The list includes several high-profile political figures. Among them are the immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu; former governors Okezie Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; former presidential aide Reno Omokri; and former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode.
Four women appeared on the career ambassadors’ list, while six were listed as non-career nominees.
Since the nominations were announced, the list has generated calls for scrutiny. and criticism from some quarters, particularly over the inclusion of former political office-holders.
Full List of President Tinubu’s 32 Ambassadorial Nominees
Non-Career Ambassador Nominees (17)
Barr. Ogbonnaya Kalu – Abia
Reno Omokri – Delta
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu – Former INEC Chairman
Erelu Angela Adebayo – Former Ekiti First Lady
Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi – Former Enugu Governor
Tasiu Musa Maigari – Former Speaker, Katsina State Assembly
Yakubu N. Gambo – Former Plateau Commissioner / Former UBEC Deputy Executive Secretary
Prof. Nora Ladi Daduut – Former Senator, Plateau
Otunba Femi Pedro – Former Lagos Deputy Governor
Chief Femi Fani-Kayode – Former Aviation Minister, Osun
Barr. Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu – Anambra
Fatima Florence Ajimobi – Former Oyo First Lady
Lola Akande – Former Lagos Commissioner
Grace Bent – Former Senator, Adamawa
Victor Okezie Ikpeazu – Former Abia Governor
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim – Ondo
Amb. Paul Oga Adikwu – Former Ambassador to the Holy See, Benue
Career Ambassador Nominees (15)
Enebechi Monica Okwuchukwu – Abia
Yakubu Nyaku Danladi – Taraba
Miamuna Ibrahim Besto – Adamawa
Musa Musa Abubakar – Kebbi
Syndoph Paebi Endoni – Bayelsa
Chima Geoffrey Lioma David – Ebonyi
Mopelola Adeola-Ibrahim – Ogun
Abimbola Samuel Reuben – Ondo
Yvonne Ehinosen Odumah – Edo
Hamza Mohammed Salau – Niger
Amb. Shehu Barde – Katsina
Amb. Ahmed Mohammed Monguno – Borno
Amb. Muhammad Saidu Dahiru – Kaduna
Amb. Olatunji Ahmed Sulu Gambari – Kwara
Amb. Wahab Adekola Akande – Osun
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