Reno Omokri, Fani-Kayode, other Ambassadorial nominees arrive Senate for screening

Several ambassadorial nominees, including social commentator Reno Omokri, Senator Grace Bent and former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode, on Thursday appeared at the National Assembly for their screening by the Senate.

Also present was former Interior Minister Abdulrahman Dambazau, who is among those listed for diplomatic appointments.

Their appearance comes two weeks after President Bola Tinubu submitted a list of 32 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate on November 29 for confirmation. The list includes 15 career diplomats and 17 non-career nominees.

According to the Presidency, the ambassadors will be posted to countries where Nigeria has diplomatic ties, as well as international bodies such as the United Nations.

The list includes several high-profile political figures. Among them are the immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu; former governors Okezie Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; former presidential aide Reno Omokri; and former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode.

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.

Full List of President Tinubu’s 32 Ambassadorial Nominees

Non-Career Ambassador Nominees (17)

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

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