Former Army, Defence Chiefs, Buratai And Olanisakin, Now Ambassadors To Benin And Cameroon

June 23, (THEWILL)- Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.General Tukur Yusufu Buratai (rtd), has been named Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic.

Similarly, the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin (rtd), was named Head of the Mission in Cameroon.

A statement by the Information Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, presented letters of credence to the ex-service chiefs on Tuesday.

The statement was however silent on the fate of former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok- Ette Ibas (retd), and ex-Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar (retd).

The statement reads: “The Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Geoffrey Onyeama today 22 June 2021, presented Letters of Credence to the Ambassador-Designate of Nigeria to the Republic of Cameroon, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin (Retired) and the Ambassador-Designate of Nigeria to the Republic of Benin, Lt.Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai (Retired).

“The Minister of Foreign Affairs during the brief ceremony congratulated the immediate past service chiefs on their appointment by Mr. President and called on them to deploy their wealth of experience to promote Nigeria’s interest during their tour of duty in countries of accreditation.”

President Muhammadu Buhari had on February 4, 2021, appointed the “retired” service chiefs as non-career ambassadors, and the Senate confirmed the appointments on February 23, 2021.