Buhari nominates 41 non-career ambassadors, seeks Senate’s confirmation

*Ali Magashi, Debo Adesina, Oma Djebah, Ugwu on list

*Directs police, security agencies to probe Benue attacks

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday forwarded the names of 41 non-career ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation.

The ambassadors-designate include former top-shot of Folio Communications Nigeria, publishers of Daily Times: retired Major-General C. O. Ugwu as well as prominent journalists, Debo Adesina and Oma Djebah.

Buhari’s request was contained in a separate letter read by Senate President Ahmad Lawan seeking the consideration and confirmation of the nominees.

Those nominated by the President are Umar Suleiman (Adamawa); L.S. Mandama (Adamawa); Oboro Effiong Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Chief Elejah Onyeagba (Anambra); Abubakar D. Ibrahim Siyi (Bauchi); Philip K. Ikurusi (Bayelsa); Hon. Tarzcor Terhemen (Benue); Paul Oga Adikwu (Benue); Al-Bishir Ibrahim Al-Hussain (Borno); Brig Gen. Bwala Yusuf Bukar (Borno); Prof. Monique Ekpong (Cross River); Oma Djebah (Delta); Ominyi N. Eze, Ebonyi (Ebonyi); Yamah Mohammed Musa (Edo); Maj. Gen. C. O. Ugwu (Enugu), Suleiman Sani (FCT) and Dr. Hajara I. Salim (Gombe).

Others are Obiezu Ijeoma Chinyerem (Imo); Ali M. Magashi (Jigawa); Prof. M. A. Makarfi (Kaduna); Hamisu Umar Takalmawa (Kano); Imam Galandanci (Kano); Amina Ado Kurawa (Kano); Amb. Yahaya Lawal (Katsina); Dare Sunday Awoniyi (Kogi); Ibrahim Kayode Laaro (Kwara), Abioye Bello (Kwara); Zara Maazu Umar (Kwara); Ademola Seriki (Lagos); Henry John Omaku (Nasarawa) and Chief Sarafa Tunji Ishola (Ogun).

Also nominated are Mrs. Nimi Akinkube (Ondo); Adejaba Bello (Osun); Adeshina Alege (Oyo); Debo Adesina (Oyo); Ms. Folakemi Akinyele (Oyo); Shehu Abdullahi Yibaikwai (Plateau); Hon. Maureen Tamuno (Rivers); Faruk Yabo (Sokoto); Adamu M. Hassan (Taraba); Alhaji Yusuf Mohammed (Yobe) and Abubakar Moriki (Zamfara).

Buhari has also requested the Senate to confirm the appointment of Usman Mahmoud Hassan as commissioner representing Kaduna state in the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

The President while relying on Section 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, also sought the confirmation of another nominee, Idahagbon Williams Omoregie Henry, as commissioner representing Edo, Ekiti and Ondo states in the Federal Civil Service Commission.

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Meanwhile, the Senate on Wednesday urged the police and other relevant security agencies in the country to carry out a comprehensive investigation into attacks by herdsmen on Echori and Itakpa communities in Benue state with a view to arresting the perpetrators.

The call by the Senate was contained in resolutions reached sequel to the adoption of a motion seeking the intervention of the National Assembly.

Sponsor of the motion, Senator Patrick Abba Moro (PDP / Benue South), expressed concern over the twin attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen on two communities of Echori and Itakpa of Obi Local Government Area of Benue South Senatorial District on May 10 and June 1, respectively.

According to him, 11 persons were killed during the attacks.

The senator disclosed the names of those killed as Innocent Joseph, Tony Ogbu Alapa, Christian Abe Igo, Sunday Atubu, Stephen Okwute, Okwu Joseph, Ogo Imuila Ogbu and Friday Adekpe Ola.

Others are Cecilia Onah, Onah Ogaga, AKA Orisha, Linus Udor, Sunday Okarike and Enokela Ameh.

Moro expressed sadness that “this is one in a series of attacks and kidnappings carried out by the herdsmen in communities in Benue South Senatorial District leaving in their wake loss of lives and wanton destruction of properties.”

Accordingly, the Senate after observing a minute silence in honour of the deceased persons urged the federal government to mount surveillance at the affected areas to proactively detect and deter future attacks.

It also urged the police and security agencies to as a matter of urgency, review their operational mechanism with a view to being more proactive.

Also, the Senate urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately mobilize relief materials to those displaced by the recent attacks in Echori and Itakpa communities.