Saraki Tasks Ambassadorial Nominees on Patriotism

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Thursday, July 28th, 2016

Ayodele Afolabi, Abuja

BALTIMORE, MD (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The Presidency, through its Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, has commended the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, over what he described as “thorough and intellectual approach ” used in carrying out the screening exercise for the 47‎ ambasadorial nominees.

This was even as the Senate President, Bukola Saraki , charged the nominees to be good ambassadors of the country at whatever foreign posts sent to, after senate’s confirmation in September.

Enang gave the commendation‎ when he led a delegation of the Ambassadorial nominees immediately after the screening exercise which was concluded yesterday on a courtesy visit to the Senate President.

In his address, Senator Enang, who described the screening exercise as the most thorough 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.

‎He said: “Let me use this opportunity to commend the Senate committee for the way and manner in which the screening exercise was carried out. I must say it is the most thorough and intellectual I’ve seen in my time here.

‎”Also, the committee has demonstrated by its decision to screen the nominees despite the Senate being on recess that it is committed and dedicated to service of our dear nation,” Enang added.

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 ministerial nominees, as you go forward are taking position 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”

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

Out of the 47 ambassadorial nominees, Borno State has the highest number of 3, with Kwara, Edo, Ekiti and Anambra states having two each while remaining states except Bayelsa, Ondo, Plateau and Ebonyi states have one each.