Kaduna state Coordinator of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria(FTAN), Tobi Bernard Thomas, has tasked the 32 Ambassadorial Nominees to be dedicated and be patriotism in their new appointment.
Thomas said their nominations to represent the country outside its shore, is a call to serve the citizens and represent the country deligently, and not for a self service.
In a two separate letters to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu had asked the Senate to consider and confirm expeditiously 15 nominees as career ambassadors and 17 nominees as non-career ambassadors.
There are four women on the career ambassadors’ list and six women on the non-career ambassadors’ list.
Among the non-career ambassador designates are Barrister Ogbonnaya Kalu from Abia, a former presidential aide, Reno Omokri (Delta), former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmud Yakubu, former Ekiti first lady, Erelu Angela Adebayo, and former Enugu governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Others are Tasiu Musa Maigari, the former speaker of the Katsina House of Assembly, Yakubu N. Gambo, a former Commissioner in Plateau State and former deputy executive secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).
Professor Nora Ladi Daduut, a former senator from Plateau; Otunba Femi Pedro, a former deputy governor of Lagos State; Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, a former aviation minister from Osun State; and Barrister Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu from Anambra State are on the nomination list.
Also on the list are former First Lady of Oyo, Fatima Florence Ajimobi, former Lagos Commissioner, Lola Akande, former Adamawa Senator, Grace Bent, former governor of Abia, Victor Okezie Ikpeazu, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, businessman, lawyer and Senator from Ondo State, and the former ambassador of Nigeria to the Holy See, Ambassador Paul Oga Adikwu from Benue State.
Among the nominees for career ambassador and high commissioner-designates are: Enebechi Monica Okwuchukwu (Abia), Yakubu Nyaku Danladi (Taraba), Miamuna Ibrahim Besto (Adamawa), Musa Musa Abubakar (Kebbi), Syndoph Paebi Endoni (Bayelsa), Chima Geoffrey Lioma David (Ebonyi) and Mopelola Adeola-Ibrahim (Ogun).
The other nominees are Abimbola Samuel Reuben (Ondo), Yvonne Ehinosen Odumah (Edo), Hamza Mohammed Salau (Niger), Ambassador Shehu Barde (Katsina), Ambassador Ahmed Mohammed Monguno (Borno), Ambassador Muhammad Saidu Dahiru (Kaduna), Ambassador Olatunji Ahmed Sulu Gambari (Kwara) and Ambassador Wahab Adekola Akande (Osun).
The Kaduna FTAN Coordinator, in a statement on Tuesday applauds the choice of the nominees, saying that they were carefully selected based on their track records.
Thomas considered the decision of the President on choice of the nominees as a visionary move that aimed at consolidating on Nigeria’s excellence and strategic bilateral relations with other foreign nations.
According to the Kaduna FTAN Coordinator: ” the nominees should prepare to assume their duties nominated by a dynamic visionary leader President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, focusing on promoting international community development through constructive engagement and initiatives that drive cultural exchange and economic growth, particularly in tourism.
“This will not only showcase Nigeria’s rich heritage but also foster the welfare of Nigerians living abroad, ultimately benefiting the nation as a whole.”
He encouraged them to strengthening international relationships and partnerships, while also urging them to promote Nigerian culture, arts, and tourism globally.
Thomas also advised them to facilitate people-to-people diplomacy and exchange programs.
He added that they should use their offices to support Nigerian diaspora communities and identifying opportunities for economic collaboration and investment in Nigeria’s growth sectors
“By doing so, they will enhance Nigeria’s global presence, promote peaceful coexistence, and create opportunities for mutual benefit and progress,” Thomas emphasized.
