From Segun Amure, (The New Diplomat’s Abuja Bureau)
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday forwarded the names of the immediate past Service Chiefs to the Senate for confirmation as non-career Ambassadors-Designate.
In a statement signed by presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, President Buhari said he has written a letter to the President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan to the effect.
The statement reads, “In accordance with section 171 (1), (2) (c) & sub-section (4) of 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, I have the honour to forward for confirmation by the Senate, the under-listed five (5) names of nominees as Non-Career Ambassadors-Designate.”
The nominees are: Gen Abayomi G. Olonisakin (Rtd ), Lt Gen Tukur Y. Buratai (Rtd), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar (Rtd), and Air Vice Marshal Mohammed S. Usman (Rtd).
Before now, the newly nominated non-career ambassadors were formerly, the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, and Chief of Air Staff respectively.
The President also urged the Senate to give expeditious consideration to the nominations.
Their nominations come weeks after President Buhari gave a nod for the posting of Ambassadors to overseas missions, announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, 12th January, 2020.
