The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday confirmed the appointments of two journalists and 38 others as ambassadors, following their nomination by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The journalists are Debo Adesina (representing Oyo State) and Oma Djebah (Delta).
Buhari had submitted 42 names for confirmation but two nominees, from Niger and Niger States were dropped because Adamu Bulkachuwa, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs said there were issues with their nomination.
It was a day of non-career ambassadors, as only Suleiman Sani, representing the Federal Capital Territory, was confirmed as a career ambassador.
The non-career ambassadors-designate confirmed were as follows: Umar Suleiman (Adamawa); Kelvin Peter (Adamawa); Chief Elejah Onyeagba (Anambra); Prof. Monique Ekpong (Cross River); Ominyi N. Eze (Ebonyi); Yamah Mohammed Musa (Edo); Maj. Gen. C. O. Ugwu (Enugu); Dr. Hajara I. Salim (Gombe); Amb. Yahaya Lawal (Katsina); Ademola Seriki (Lagos); Chief Sarafa Tunji Ishola (Ogun); Adejare Bello (Osun); John Usanga (Akwa Ibom); Hamisu Umar Takalmawa (Kano); Philip Ikurusi (Bayelsa); Hon. Tarzcor Terhemen (Benue); Al-Bishir Ibrahim Al-Hussain (Borno); Obiezu Ijeoma Chinyerem (Imo); Ali M. Magashi (Jigawa); Prof. M. A. Makarfi (Kaduna).
Others are: Henry John Omaku (Nasarawa); Sadiya Ahmad Nuhu (Kano); Adeshina Alege (Oyo); Shehu Abdullahi Yibaikwai (Plateau); Maureen Tamuno (Rivers), Faruk Yabo (Sokoto); Abubakar Moriki (Zamfara); Adamu M. Hassan (Taraba); Abubakar D. Ibrahim Siyi (Bauchi); Paul Oga Adikwu (Benue); Jazuli Imam Galadanci (Kano); Dare Sunday Awoniyi (Kogi); Ibrahim Kayode Laaro (Kwara), Abioye Bello (Kwara); Zara Maazu Umar (Kwara); Mrs. Nimi Akinkugbe (Ondo); Debo Adesina (Oyo); Ms. Folakemi Akinyele (Oyo); and Oma Djebah (Delta).
During the confirmation, Ahmad Lawan, called for the rationalization of Nigerian embassies.
He advised the government to consider closing or merging some of the nation’s foreign missions if there are not enough funds to maintain them.
