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.
News Point Nigeria reports that also seen at the complex were former Interior Minister Abdulrahman Dambazau, immediate past INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu and former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Among those present were two former ministers, a former Chief of Army Staff, two serving ambassadors and several lawmakers.
Those sighted include Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, Senator Ita Enang, and Senator Nora Daduut, among others.
After brief introductions, former ministers, ambassadors and lawmakers were asked to “take a bow and leave,” in line with Senate tradition.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele defended the continued use of the “bow and go” procedure for certain nominees, saying it is reserved for individuals with established and verifiable records of public service.
Speaking during the screening of non-career ambassadorial nominees, Bamidele explained that anyone who has previously served in the National Assembly automatically qualifies for the privilege,
He noted that their legislative history and public profile are already well known to lawmakers.
Thursday’s screening follows President Bola Tinubu’s submission of a 32-person 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.
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.
List of President Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees:
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