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Ambassadors Screening: Senate Clears Lateef Kayode, Kolawole Are, and Amin Dalhatu
The nominees Rtd. Col. Lateef Kayode Kolawole Are (Ogun), Amb. Amin Muhammad Dalhatu (Jigawa), and Amb. Emanuel Ayodele Oke (Oyo) were collectively described as credible assets capable of strengthening Nigeria’s diplomatic and strategic engagements.
The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs have thoroughly screened three ambassadorial nominees forwarded by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and gave them a clean bill of health.
Those who have been screened are :
Rtd. Col. Kayode Are : He offered a detailed overview of his extensive career in national intelligence and security, highlighting his distinguished roles in the Nigerian Army, as former Director-General of the State Security Service, Deputy National Security Adviser, and his continued contributions to security reforms.
Amb. Amin Muhammad Dalhatu : He recounted his longstanding service in the Federal Ministry of Finance and NNPC, his transition into agriculture, and his successful tenure as Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Korea between 2016 and 2021, a period that strengthened his diplomatic acumen.
Ambassador Ayodele Oke, a seasoned diplomat and intelligence professional, presented a rich 38-year service history across six countries on three continents. With academic qualifications in political science, international relations, law, and international criminal law, along with advanced training in reputable international institutions.
He addressed concerns regarding past intelligence-related allegations, noting that all issues had been conclusively resolved following official reviews.
Niger North Senator and Chairman of the Committee, Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, who presided over the Wednesday screening exercise, said that the Committee expressed unanimous satisfaction with the calibre of the candidates and applauded the President for presenting individuals of notable experience and merit.
The Committee, empowered to scrutinise the competencies and suitability of the non-career nominees, conducted an in-depth engagement attended by over a dozen senators.
The session featured rigorous interrogation, professional assessments, and broad deliberations focusing on each nominee’s track record, capacity, and character.
At the conclusion of the exercise, the Committee expressed unanimous satisfaction with the calibre of the candidates and applauded the President for presenting individuals of notable experience and merit.
Members observed that all three nominees possess robust professional backgrounds, diverse national service credentials, and the temperament required for high-level diplomatic assignments.
They commended the President for identifying individuals whose experience aligns with Nigeria’s evolving global priorities.
Upon completion of the screening, Senator Sani Bello presented the nominations for the Committee’s decision, and members unanimously endorsed all three nominees for Senate confirmation.
The nominees Rtd. Col. Lateef Kayode Kolawole Are (Ogun), Amb. Amin Muhammad Dalhatu (Jigawa), and Amb. Emanuel Ayodele Oke (Oyo) were collectively described as credible assets capable of strengthening Nigeria’s diplomatic and strategic engagements.
The Senators in attendance included Senators Henry Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa West), Mohammed Sani Musa (Niger East), Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North), Mukhail Tokunbo Abiru (Lagos East), Ali Ndume (Borno South), Ikra Aliyu Bilbis (Zamfara North), :Salisu Shuaib Afolabi (Ogun Central), Peter Ndalikali (Niger South), Ahmed Aliyu Wadada (Nassarawa West) among others
The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, under the leadership of Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, will resume the screening of the remaining ambassadorial nominees at a subsequent date.
News
Jega loses wife, Hajiya Hadiza
Hajia Hadiza passed on yesterday and was buried according to Islamic rites.
The Special Adviser to the President on Livestock Development, Prof. Attahiru Jega, has lost his wife, Hajiya Hadiza Jega.
Hajia Hadiza passed on yesterday and was buried according to Islamic rites.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented the President at the janazah (Islamic funeral rites) yesterday at the National Mosque in Abuja, conveyed the President’s heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family.
President Tinubu described the late Hajiya Hadiza as a woman of uncommon grace and strength, noting that she played a pivotal role as a steady support system to her husband throughout his years of public service, including his tenure as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
A statement in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said that the President also applauded her contributions to education and community development, highlighting her quiet but impactful influence in advancing social causes.
News
Atiku hires US lobbying firm for $1.2m to boost image – Report
One of the objectives of the engagement is to “counterbalance” the Nigerian government’s “lobbying narratives” in the United States, while also working to “advance understanding” of Atiku’s “leadership posture and policy vision” among policymakers.
Ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has hired a Washington-based lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., to strengthen his reputational standing in the United States.
The PUNCH reported that the details of the deal are contained in documents filed with the U.S. Department of Justice, which show that the agreement was signed on March 9 and 10, 2026, by the firm’s managing partner, Karl Von Batten, and Nigerian politician Fabiyi Oladimeji on behalf of the former vice president.
According to the filing sighted on the Department of Justice ’s website on Sunday, the contract is aimed at shaping perceptions of Atiku within U.S. policy circles and countering narratives linked to the Nigerian government.
One of the objectives of the engagement is to “counterbalance” the Nigerian government’s “lobbying narratives” in the United States, while also working to “advance understanding” of Atiku’s “leadership posture and policy vision” among policymakers.
Under the arrangement, the firm is expected to facilitate meetings between the former vice-president and U.S. government officials, including members of Congress, as well as provide advisory services on policy positioning and engagement strategy.
“These activities include lobbying and government affairs engagement with Members of Congress, congressional staff, and executive branch officials concerning issues related to democratic governance, regional stability, economic development, and U.S. engagement with Nigeria and the broader West African region,” part of the contract reads.
The firm will also undertake “promotion, perception management, and public relations activities designed to enhance understanding among U.S. policymakers and relevant stakeholders” of Atiku’s positions.
News
Kaduna Mando Garage Explosion Not Bomb- Police
The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, said in a statement that the incident occurred at about 3:00a.m. on Sunday at the premises of Silver Luxury Travel, a bus company operating at Mando Garage, Kaduna.
The Kaduna State Police Command has confirmed that an explosion at the Lagos Garage Terminus in Mando area of Kaduna State today wasn’t a bomb explosion, but a CNG-powered luxury bus that ruptured after its gas tank was overfilled.
The incident occurred during the early hours of Sunday with the loud blast drawing attention from commuters, traders, and nearby residents, prompting a swift response from emergency services.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, said in a statement that the incident occurred at about 3:00a.m. on Sunday at the premises of Silver Luxury Travel, a bus company operating at Mando Garage, Kaduna.
He said detectives were immediately deployed to the scene after a loud sound was reported, and that the vehicle has been safely evacuated, while normal business activities have since resumed at the motor park.
He noted that no casualties or loss of property were recorded, and normal activities had since resumed in the area.
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