By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, has approved the posting of four ambassador-designates to France, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Turkey, the presidency announced on Thursday, solidifying diplomatic relations between the West African nation and its key economic and security partners.
“The President has approved the posting of four ambassador-designates out of the 68 confirmed by the Senate last December,” a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga on Thursday partially reads.
Those deployed include Ambassador Ayodele Oke, Colonel Lateef Are, Ambassador Amin Dalhatu, and former Kebbi State governor Usman Isa Dakingari Suleiman, covering France, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Turkey respectively.
“The posting of Ambassador Ayodele Oke to France and Colonel Lateef Are to the United States has been confirmed by the President,” the presidential spokesman said.
“Ambassador Amin Dalhatu, former Nigerian ambassador to South Korea, has been posted as the high commissioner-designate to the United Kingdom,” the presidency said.
Onanuga further disclosed that Usman Isa Dakingari Suleiman, a former governor of Kebbi State, has been appointed ambassador-designate to Turkey.
“Usman Isa Dakingari Suleiman, former governor of Kebbi State, is the ambassador-designate to Turkey.”
He noted that the posting to Turkey is significant, as the President is expected to visit the country soon.
“The posting of Suleiman to Turkey comes as the President is scheduled to begin a state visit to the country next week,” Onanuga added.
Onanuga said the approvals were formally communicated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“In a memo to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the President urged the ministry to notify the governments of the four countries about the ambassador-designates, in line with established diplomatic procedures.”
He explained that the postings were drawn from the list of ambassadorial nominees earlier screened by the National Assembly.
“These postings are part of the ambassadorial nominees confirmed by the Senate in December,” Onanuga stated.
