By Ogochukwu Isioma
President Bola Tinubu has approved the posting of four ambassador-designates, marking the first tranche of diplomatic appointments from the 68 nominees confirmed by the Nigerian Senate in December last year.
In a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, on Thursday, he said President Tinubu confirmed Ambassador Ayodele Oke as Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to France, while Colonel Lateef Are was named ambassador-designate to the United States of America.
In the same approval, Ambassador Amin Dalhatu, a former Nigerian envoy to South Korea, was appointed as high commissioner-designate to the United Kingdom.
Former Kebbi State governor, Usman Isa Dakingari Suleiman, was designated as Nigeria’s ambassador to Turkey. The appointment comes ahead of the Nigerian leader’s scheduled state visit to Turkey next week, underscoring the strategic importance of the bilateral relationship.
Meanwhile, the President has directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to formally notify the governments of the four host countries of the appointments in line with established diplomatic protocols.