President Bola Tinubu has approved the postings of four ambassador-designates from the 68 confirmed by the Senate last December.
A statement released on Thursday night by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said that President Tinubu confirmed Ambassador Ayodele Oke as the ambassador-designate to France, and Colonel Lateef Are as the ambassador-designate to the United States of America.
The President also approved Ambassador Amin Dalhatu, former ambassador to South Korea, as the high commissioner-designate to the United Kingdom.
Additionally, Usman Isa Dakingari Suleiman, former governor of Kebbi State, has been appointed ambassador-designate to Turkey, where President Tinubu is scheduled to begin a state visit next week.
In a memo addressed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Tinubu urged the ministry to notify the governments of the four countries about the ambassador-designates, “in accordance with diplomatic procedures,” the statement added.
Recall that in November last year, President Tinubu sent an initial list of ambassador-nominees to the Senate for confirmation, addressing almost two years of vacancies at missions abroad. He subsequently submitted 32 more names.
By December, 64 ambassadorial nominees had been confirmed, bringing the total number of confirmed nominees to 67.
Apart from the four approved this week, other names on the confirmed list include Reno Omokri, a former presidential aide; Mahmood Yakubu, former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission; Femi Fani-Kayode, former Aviation Minister; and Fatima Florence Ajimobi, former Oyo first lady, among others.
