48
By Lizzy Chirkpi
President Bola Tinubu has submitted a new list of ambassadorial nominees to the Senate, featuring prominent former government officials and retired military chiefs.
Among those nominated is Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd), the former Chief of Naval Staff and immediate past Sole Administrator of Rivers State. Ibas, who previously served as Nigeria’s 22nd naval chief, took charge of Rivers State earlier in the year under an emergency arrangement following political unrest in the state.
Also on the list is retired Lieutenant General Abdulrahman Dambazau, a former Chief of Army Staff who later served as Minister of Interior. The academic-turned-security administrator is known for his extensive experience in national defence and internal security reforms.
President Tinubu’s list further includes former lawmaker and ex-presidential aide, Senator Ita Enang, who previously served as Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters; and Chioma Ohakim, former First Lady of Imo State, who has been active in philanthropy and women-focused advocacy projects.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, read the President’s request during Thursday’s plenary. The letter urged the upper chamber to speedily confirm the nominees to enable them occupy Nigeria’s diplomatic missions across strategic nations.
“I hereby request that the Senate consider and confirm the under-listed nominees for appointment as non-career ambassadors,” the President stated in the correspondence forwarded to the Senate.
The nominees have been referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, which has been mandated to conduct their screening and report back within one week.
If confirmed, the appointees will join recently approved ambassadors and are expected to represent and advance Nigeria’s diplomatic, economic, and security interests overseas.