Senate Clears Oma Djebah, ex-Delta Commissioner, 39 Other Ambassadors-Designate

After the completion of its screening process, the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday confirmed the appointment of former Delta State Commissioner for Information and The New Diplomat‘s Chairman, Mr. Oma Djebah and 39 other non-career Ambassadors-designate earlier nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The senate confirmation follows the consideration of the report by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa (Bauchi North).

Djebah, a former Deputy Editor of THISDAY newspaper was screened by the Senate Committee members. While screening Djebah, the Committee had reimposed confidence in his ability to give Nigeria an excellent representation on the global stage, noting that his credentials, qualifications, experience in diplomacy and past assignments were tailor-made for the job.

40 of the nominees were successful at the Senate screening as Senator Bulkachuwa, while presenting the committee’s report, said there were irreconcilable issues with two nominees from Niger and Yobe states.

Bulkachuwa said some of the nominees, who are not in the country were screened through virtual communication.

Immediate past Editor-in-chief of the Guardian newspaper, Mr. Debo Adesina was also among those cleared by the Senate.

Meanwhile, Mr. Suleiman Sani was the only career ambassador-designate on the list from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Three states, (Kwara, Kano, Oyo) have three nominees each while three others, (Borno, Benue, Adamawa), got two slots each. Twenty states had one slot each while four states had no nominee.

The full list of the non-career ambassadors-designate confirmed are: Umar Suleiman (Adamawa); Kelvin Peter (Adamawa); Chief Elejah Onyeagba (Anambra); Prof. Monique Ekpong (Cross River); Mr. Oma Djebah (Delta); Ominyi N. Eze (Ebonyi); Yamah Mohammed Musa (Edo); Maj. Gen. CO Ugwu (Enugu); Dr. Hajara I. Salim (Gombe); Amb. Yahaya Lawal (Katsina); Ademola Seriki (Lagos); Chief Sarafa Tunji Ishola (Ogun); Adejare Bello (Osun); John Usanga (Akwa Ibom); Hamisu Umar Takalmawa (Kano); Philip Ikurusi (Bayelsa); Hon. Tarzcor Terhemen (Benue); Al-Bishir Ibrahim Al-Hussain (Borno); Obiezu Ijeoma Chinyerem (Imo); Ali M. Magashi (Jigawa); Prof. M. A. Makarfi (Kaduna).

Others are: Henry John Omaku (Nasarawa); Sadiya Ahmad Nuhu (Kano); Adeshina Alege (Oyo); Shehu Abdullahi Yibaikwai (Plateau); Maureen Tamuno (Rivers), Faruk Yabo (Sokoto); Abubakar Moriki (Zamfara); Adamu M. Hassan (Taraba); Abubakar D. Ibrahim Siyi (Bauchi); Paul Oga Adikwu (Benue); Jazuli Imam Galadanci (Kano); Dare Sunday Awoniyi (Kogi); Ibrahim Kayode Laaro (Kwara), Abioye Bello (Kwara); Zara Maazu Umar (Kwara); Mrs. Nimi Akinkugbe (Ondo); Debo Adesina (Oyo) and Ms. Folakemi Akinyele (Oyo).