Senate President Ahmad Lawan on Wednesday called for adequate funding of Nigerian embassies abroad.
Lawan who spoke after the Senate confirmed 40 non-career and one career ambassadors-designate recently nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari, however advised the Federal Government to consider either closure or merger of some of its foreign missions if there is no resources to properly fund them.
He argued that there is no need to send an envoy to a foreign land to represent the country without making adequate provision for the ambassador’s upkeep or the sustainable administration of such an embassy.
Meanwhile, the Senate has confirmed Debo Adeshina representing Oyo State, Oma Djebah (Delta), Ademola Seriki (Lagos), Umar Sulieman (Adamawa), Kevin Peter (Adamawa), John Usanga (Akwa Ibom), Elejah Onyeagba (Anambra), Abubakar Ibrahim (Bauchi), Philip Ikurusi (Bayelsa), Tarzoor Terhemen (Benue), Paul Adikwu (Benue), Al-Bishir Al-Hussain (Borno), Bwala Bukar (Borno) and Monique Ekpong (Cross River) for appointment as non-career ambassadors.
The Senate also confirmed the nomination of Ominyi Eze representing Ebonyi State, Yamah Musa (Edo), C. O Ugwu (Enugu), Hajara Salim (Gombe), Obiezu Chinyerem (Imo), Ali Magashi (Jigawa), M. A Markarfi (Kaduna),
Hamisu Takalmawa (Kano), Jazuli Gadalanci (Kano), Sadiya Nuhu (Kano), Yahaya Lawal (Katsina), Dare Sunday Awoniyi (Kogi), Ibrahim Laaro (Kwara), Abioye Bello (Kwara) and
Zara Umar (Kwara) for appointment as non-career ambassadors.
Other non-career ambassadorial nominees confirmed by the upper chambers include Henry Omaku (Nasarawa), Sarafa Isola (Ogun), Nimi Akinkube (Ondo), Adejare Bello (Osun), Adeshina Alege (Oyo), Folakemi Akinyele (Oyo), Shehu Yibaikwal (Plateau), Maureen Tamuno (Rivers), Faruk Yabo (Sokoto), Adamu Hassan (Taraba) and Abubakar Moriki (Zamfara state).
Mr Suleiman Sani was also confirmed as a Career ambassador representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
