The Nigerian Senate on Thursday confirmed 64 ambassadorial nominees, comprising 34 career ambassadors and high commissioners and 30 non-career appointees.
Among the non-career ambassadors confirmed were Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (APC, Ondo South), former INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Senator Ita Enang, Reno Omokri, Senator Grace Bent, and Senator Professor Nora Ladi Daduut. Others include Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (former sole administrator of Rivers State and ex-naval chief), Chioma Ohakim (former Imo State first lady), Abdulrahman Dambazau (former Minister of Interior and ex-Army Chief), Femi Fani-Kayode (former Minister of Health), Erelu Angela Adebayo (Ekiti), and Florence Ajimobi (Oyo).
Notable career ambassadorial nominees include Sulu-Gambari Olatunji Ahmed from Kwara State, Segun Ige from Edo State, and Odumah Yvonne Ehinosen, also from Edo State.
The confirmation followed the presentation and consideration of the report on Foreign Affairs by Senator Sani Bello (APC, Niger North), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, who stated that all nominees were found worthy of their appointments with no petitions against them.
During the screening exercise, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim received a red-carpet reception as a serving senator and member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Following the confirmation, Senate President Godswill Akpabio congratulated the nominees, urging them to represent Nigeria well in their respective postings. He also appealed to Senator Ibrahim to maintain close ties with the Senate to allow continuous access to his knowledge and experience.
Further details on postings and assignments are expected to be released later.