Buhari commends Senate on screening of nominees

Saraki urges them to be good ambassadors

President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the Senate for doing a thorough job of screening the 47 ambassadorial nominees.

Speaking through his Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, the President noted that although the lawmakers were on recess, the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs demonstrated high degree of patriotism.

The commendation‎ was given when Enang led a delegation of the ambassadorial nominees on a courtesy visit to the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

Enang, who described the screening as the most thorough one he had witnessed during his time in the National Assembly, also commended the Senator Monsurat Sunmonu-led committee for its show of dedication and commitment.

Senate President Saraki in his response advised the nominees to represent the country positively in their respective postings, adding that they have made history by going through the screening exercise.

“The ambassadorial nominees, as we go forward, are taking positions in the history of the country. Going forward, they will be representing our country on the global stage.

“We appeal to you to please make us proud. Though there are challenges, I urge you to look at things differently in your service to the nation. ‎As you know, it is in the interest of our country to have ambassadors all over, as the absence will slow down bilateral relations. I wish you all the best,” Saraki said.

He also charged the Executive to forward names of non-career nominees to the Senate on resumption in September for thorough screening, saying “the earlier we have substantive ambassadors at our various foreign posts, the better at this critical time of repositioning the country for better.”