Penultimate Thursday, President Muhammadu Buhari nominated ex-Service Chiefs for Senate approval as non-career Ambassadors-Designate. In the letter to Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, Mr. President wrote “In accordance with section 171 (1), (2) (c) & sub-section (4) of 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, I have the honour to forward for confirmation by the Senate, the under-listed five (5) names of nominees as Non-Career Ambassadors-Designate. “The nominees are: Gen Abayomi G. Olonisakin (Rtd), Lt Gen Tukur Y. Buratai (Rtd), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar (Rtd), and Air Vice Marshal Mohammed S. Usman (Rtd).The President further urged the Senate to give expeditious consideration to the nominations. While few Nigerians including the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, are of the viewpoint that there was nothing wrong with President Buhari nominating the immediate past service chiefs, for the position of an ambassador so long as such persons remained acceptable and worthy of the office, the majority hold a contrary opinion. The latter believes that their nomination was to shield them from investigation for alleged crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court, ICC. What is your view? BARBARA NEGBEJIE presents the mixed reactions.
‘Nothing is wrong in the nomination’
Nothing is wrong in the nomination. All of them have served the nation at the highest level of their careers. Other non- career diplomats may not even match their CVs. No crime in being a military personnel.
‘Not suggestive of a forward movement for our nation’
To me, the appointment is not suggestive of a forward movement for our nation. If as a nation we keep recycling old men who do not have track record in their previous performance, it becomes worrisome the kind of future we are envisaging for our young generation. Compare to other clime, it is high time Nigeria leaders deliberately get young professionals involved in relevant aspect of governance.
‘The country’s leadership has a way of playing on its citizens’ intelligence’
From the call for their sack to their alleged resignation and now the issue of their nomination for an ambassadorial portfolio have been a big dream which sincerely if you ask for my opinion, I would say, shows that this country’s leadership has a way of playing on its citizens intelligence. Otherwise how else can one describe the said nomination by Mr. President? Of those who vast majority of Nigerians have identified to have performed abysmally… again Nigerians have already started kicking against the moves which to me is the right way to go.
‘Are we saying, we don’t have seasoned ambassadors who have not been appointed before’
In my opinion the leaders of our own country are just playing around our intelligence of recycling people in and for positions. If these service chiefs were retired why not allow them rest or say take a break and maybe for future purpose bring them as advisers especially in the military. Are we saying, we don’t have seasoned ambassadors who have not been appointed before? It is high time we bring on board young and energetic people who would think outside the box.
‘The nomination of almost redundant old people who will not be able to meet world innovative standard will definitely impact our nation negatively’
My take is that those around the President who should be providing professional advice are not doing it right and if they do and the president is not taking to their advice, a whole lot is wrong with this nation. The nomination of almost redundant old people who will not be able to discharge their duties to meet world innovative standard will definitely impact our nation negatively. Majority of our embassies are redundant and Nigeria staff in diaspora are not living up to their expectation in their diaspora offices, which are almost always empty of personnel to attend to Nigerians in Diaspora. This is as a result of election of redundant ambassadors like the President has done this time again.
