Senate President, Ahmad Lawan has advised the Federal Government to close or merge some foreign missions if it cannot finance their operations.
Lawan made this call after the Senate confirmed 40 non-career and one career ambassadors-designate nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari.
He opined that ambassadors should not be deployed without adequate provision for their upkeep.
The Senate confirmed the following as non-career ambassadors: Debo Adeshina representing Oyo State, Oma Djebah (Delta), Ademola Seriki (Lagos), Umar Sulieman (Adamawa), Kevin Peter (Adamawa), John Usanga (Akwa Ibom) and Elejah Onyeagba (Anambra).
Others are 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).
They also include: Ominyi Eze representing Ebonyi State, Yamah Musa (Edo), C. O. Ugwu (Enugu), Hajara Salim (Gombe), Obiezu Chinyerem (Imo), Ali Magashi (Jigawa) and M. A Markarfi (Kaduna).
Others are 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).
The rest are Henry Omaku (Nasarawa), Sarafa Isola (Ogun), Nimi Akinkube (Ondo), Adejaba Bello (Osun), Adeshina Alege (Oyo), Folakemi Akinyele (Oyo), Shehu Yibaikwal (Plateau), Maureen Tamuno (Rivers), Faruk Yabo (Sokoto), Adamu Hassan (Taraba) and Abubakar Moriki (Zamfara).
Suleiman Sani was also confirmed as a career ambassador representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Yobe and Niger nominees did not partake in the screening.
