…Urges them to be good ambassadors
By Nuel Suji – The President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, Thursday charged the 47 Ambassadorial nominees undergoing screening to be good ambassadors of the country at whatever foreign posts sent to, after senate’s confirmation in September, counselling that things may not be as expected in their duty posts.
Mr. Saraki urged the nominees to represent the country positively in their respective postings adding that they have made history by going through the screening exercise.
“The ministerial nominees, as you go forward are taking position in the history of the country. Going forward, they will be representing our country on the global stage,” the Senate President said.
Adding: “We appeal to you to please make us proud, though there are challenges, I urge you to look at things differently in your service to the nation. As you know, it is in the interest of our country to have ambassadors all over, as the absence will slow down bilateral relations. I wish you all the best.”
He counseled that things may not be as expected in their duty post as many of the country’s embassies are not enjoying adequate funding as expected.
He also charged the executive to as quickly as possible forward names of non-career nominees to the senate on resumption in September, for similar thorough screening exercise, saying “the earlier we have substantive ambassadors at our various foreign posts, the better at this critical time of repositioning the country for better”.
Out of the 47 ambassadorial nominees, Borno State has the highest number of 3, with Kwara, Edo, Ekiti and Anambra states having two each while remaining states except Bayelsa, Ondo, Plateau and Ebonyi states have one each.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the screening exercise going on in the senate, describing it as thorough and intellectually approached.
President Buhari spoke through his Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Ita Enang who led a delegation of the Ambassadorial nominees on a courtesy call on Mr. Saraki immediately after the screening exercise which was concluded.
Mr. Enang, said the screening exercise was the most thorough he had witnessed during his time in the National Assembly, commending the Senator Monsurat Sunmonu-led committee for its show of dedication and commitment.
“Let me use this opportunity to commend the Senate committee for the way and manner in which the screening exercise was carried out. I must say it is the most thorough and intellectual I’ve seen in my time here.
”Also, the committee has demonstrated by its decision to screen the nominees despite the Senate being on recess that it is committed and dedicated to service of our dear nation,” Enang added.
