The Upper Chamber of the National Assembly on Tuesday confirmed the nomination of the immediate past Service Chiefs as non-career Ambassadors-Designate.
President Muhammadu Buhari had on February 4, asked the Senate to confirm the retired military chiefs for the ambassadorial positions.
The nominees were confirmed following the consideration of the report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The nominees include General Abayomi Olonisakin (rtd) and Lt. General Tukur Buratai ((Rtd).
Others are Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar (Rtd) and Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Usman (Rtd), Kano.
Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Adamu Muhammad Bulkachuwa, in his presentation said their appointments were made in line with section 171(40) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
Bulkachuwa said: “their experiences as Service Chiefs and in the military where they rose to the highest ranks in their careers have made them eminently qualified; and that the nominees were very knowledgeable and articulate in their response to questions directed at them by the Committee.”
He added that, “the Committee received petitions against their nominations as Non-Career Ambassadors of the Federal Republic of Nigeria but the petitions were dismissed.”
However, before the nominees’ confirmation, the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe had demanded explanation from the Bulkachuwa’s committee on why it dismissed the petition against the nominees, bordering on the Senate resolutions that called for their removal as Service Chiefs in the past.
But the Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan faulted the demand made by Abaribe as he said the Senate resolution demanding their removal at the time has nothing to do with the confirmation of the nominees as Ambassadors-Designate, noting that they’re two separate positions.
Senator Lawan added that as Ambassadors, the country would profit from their expertise in the prosecution of the war against insurgency when they’re posted to countries.
“Without prejudice to what the executive will do, where we need to fight the Boko Haram insurgency and banditry, because of their experience in the field, they should be able to interact very closely and sufficiently to advise and create the atmosphere for working together, for partnership and cooperation between Nigeria and those countries,” Lawan explained.
The Senate thereafter confirmed their nomination following a motion moved by the Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi and seconded by the Minority Leader, Senator Abaribe.
