The Senate has approved the appointment of Jimoh Ibrahim, former INEC Chairman Professor Yakubu Mahmoud, Ita Enang, Reno Omokri, Grace Bent, and Professor Nora Ladi Daduut as non-career ambassadorial designates.
On Thursday, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, former Naval Chief and immediate past Sole Administrator of Rivers State from Cross River State; Chioma Ohakim, former First Lady of Imo State; Abdulrahman Dambazau, former Minister of Interior and former Chief of Army Staff; Femi Fani-Kayode, former Minister of Health; Erelu Angela Adebayo (Ekiti); Florence Ajimobi (Oyo); and Mrs. Chioma Ohakim were confirmed as non-career ambassadors.
A total of 64 ambassadorial and high commissioner nominees were confirmed on Thursday, comprising 34 Career Ambassadors and High Commissioners and 30 Non-Career Ambassadors and High Commissioners.
The confirmation followed the presentation and consideration of the Foreign Affairs Committee report by its Chairman, Senator Sani Bello (APC, Niger North).
Notable among the 34 career nominees are Sulu-Gambari Olatunji Ahmed from Kwara State, Segun Ige from Edo State, and Odumah Yvonne Ehinosen, also from Edo State.
Senator Bello stated that all nominees were found worthy of their appointments, with no petitions raised against any of them.
During the screening exercise, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim was the first to be invited and received a red-carpet reception, reflecting his position as a serving Senator and member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs.
After the confirmation, the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, congratulated the appointees and urged them to represent Nigeria effectively as ambassadors abroad.
He also encouraged Senator Ibrahim to maintain close contact with the Senate, so the lawmakers can continue benefiting from his experience and knowledge.