Breaking: Senate confirms Ambassadorial nominees [List]

Nigeria Senate Wednesday confirmed 40 non-career Ambassadorial nominees including one as a career ambassador.

The confirmation followed a satisfactory report by the Chairman of Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Adamu Muhammad Bulkachuwa.

The report said the nominees were screened physically while some were taken virtually because of COVID-9 pandemic.

The Committee however sought for nominees from Niger and Yobe to be stood down citing unresolved issues from their states.

They are: Air Comodore Peter Ndabake Gana (Rtd) and Yusuf Mohammed.

He said: “All the 40 nominees exhibited a high level of diplomacy that warranted no objection from the Committee.

“They were drawn from academic, public and private sector with high level of pedigree and exposure.

However, Senator Gabriel Suswam (Benue Northeast), pointed out that two career Ambassadors from Benue went to the same zone leaving the biggest zone he represents, hence, “the need to step down pending when its being sorted out.

Also, Senator Abubakar Yusuf Yusuf (Taraba Central, and Emmanuel Bwacha (Taraba South) complained of lopsidedness in the appointment of Ambassadorial nominee from Taraba, citing relevant Act of the Federal Character Commission, while urging the Senate to step down the nominee.

Reacting, Senate President, Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan pleaded for understanding, insisting that the business of the Senate was to confirm and to appoint.

The Chamber thereafter, confirmed:

Suleiman Sani – Career ambassador
Umar Sulieman, Adamawa
Kevin Peter, Adamawa
John Usanga, Akwa Ibom
Elejah Onyeagba, Anambra
Abubakar Ibrahim, Bauchi
Philip Ikurusi, Bayelsa
Tarzoor Terhemen, Benue
Paul Adikwu, Benue
Al-Bishir Al-Hussain, Borno
Bwala Bukar, Borno
Monique Ekpong, Cross River
Oma Djebah, Delta
Ominyi Eze, Ebonyi
Yamah Musa, Edo
C. O Ugwu, Enugu
Hajara Salim, Gombe
Obiezu Chinyerem, Imo
Ali Magashi, Jigawa
M. A Markarfi, Kaduna
Hamisu Takalmawa, Kano
Jazuli Gadalanci, Kano
Sadiya Nuhu, Kano
Yahaya Lawal, Katsina
Dare Sunday Awoniyi, Kogi
Ibrahim Laaro, Kwara
Abioye Bello, Kwara
Zara Umar, Kwara
Ademola Seriki, Lagos
Henry Omaku, Nasarawa
Sarafa Isola, Ogun
Nimi Akinkube, Ondo
Adejaba Bello, Osun
Adeshina Alege, Oyo
Debo Adeshina, Oyo
Folakemi Akinyele, Oyo
Shehu Yibaikwal, Plateau
Maureen Tamuno, Rivers
Faruk Yabo, Sokoto
Adamu Hassan, Taraba
Abubakar Moriki, Zamfara

In consideration of complaints laid by some Senators that some of the nominees never consulted them, Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan advised some newly confirmed nominees to reach out to their Senators in national interest.

Lawan said, they were confirmed to work for the nation, hence, there was need for a harmonious relationship with their lawmakers.