Debo Adesina Confirmed As Senate Suspends Screening Of Two Ambassadorial Nominees

Debo Adesina, editor-in-chief of The Gaurdian newspaper, is among 40 nominees confirmed as ambassadors-designate by the senate.

Also confirmed is Nimi Akinkugbe, an ambassadorial nominee for Ondo state.

Akinkugbe’s nomination had elicited debate because she is from Rivers state.

Some persons had argued that the president should not have nominated her because of her state of origin — Nimi, who is currently a non-executive director at Standard Chartered Bank, is married to Yinka Akinkugbe from Ondo.

The nominees were confirmed after Adamu Bulkachuwa, chairman of the committee on foreign affairs, presented a report for consideration.

The committee suspended the screening of two nominees — Yusuf Mohammed (Yobe) because of a “mix-up”, and that of Peter Gana (Niger) as a result of “problems with his nomination” — pending when the issues surrounding their nominations are resolved.

Sulieman Sani (FCT) was the only career ambassador confirmed by the upper legislative chamber.

“We held physical and virtual sessions for those abroad. The committee assessed the nominees based on constitutional requirements and senate standing rules,” he said.

“The committee sought Department of State Services (DSS) and National Intelligence Agency (NIA) reports on them.

“They gave good conduct of themselves.”

The candidates were confirmed after the senators voted on their nominations.