Senate Takes Action On Screening Of Service Chiefs, Ambassadorial Nominees

The Nigerian Senate has referred the request of President Muhammadu Buhari on the screening of new service chiefs to its joint committees on Army, Navy, and Air force for necessary action.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan during plenary on Wednesday, gave the committee two weeks to conclude the assignment and present a report to the lawmakers during plenary.

It will be recalled that President Buhari had appointed new service chiefs; Maj. Gen. Lucky Eluonye Onyenuchea lrabor – Chief of Defence Staff; Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru – Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo – Chief of Naval Staff; and Air Vice Marshal Isiaka O. Amao – Chief of Air Staff and forwarded their names to the National Assembly for confirmation.

They appointed persons are to replace the exited Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.

Similarly, the Senate President also directed the committee on Foreign Affairs to screen the immediate past service chiefs who had been nominated for appointment by Buhari as career ambassadors. They also have two weeks to conclude the assignment and report to the house.

It would be recalled as earlier reported by Naija News that President Buhari had recommended the appointment of all immediate past service chiefs as non-career ambassadors.

To this end, the President has forwarded their names to the Senate for confirmation, Naija News reports.

Buhari’s letter to Senate President Ahmad Lawan on this development reads: “In accordance with section 171 (1), (2) (c) & sub-section (4) of 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, I have the honour to forward for confirmation by the Senate, the under-listed five (5) names of nominees as Non-Career Ambassadors-Designate.”

The nominees are: Gen Abayomi G. Olonisakin (Rtd ), Lt Gen Tukur Y. Buratai (Rtd), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar (Rtd), and Air Vice Marshal Mohammed S. Usman (Rtd).

The President called on the lawmakers to give quick attention to the recommendation.