BEVERLY HILLS, February 08, (THEWILL) – The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs on Tuesday announced the criteria to be adopted in screening the 46 non-career ambassadorial nominees recently forwarded to it by President Muhammadu Buhari for confirmation.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, disclosed this at the opening ceremony of the screening exercise conducted for the nominees by the Senate committee.
She stated that the yardstick would major on a nominee’s: appearance; composure and confidence; presentation on issues raised; special skills; knowledge of diplomacy and international relations; and knowledge of general and specific issues around the globe.
“At this juncture, I wish to assure you of the committee’s determination, in the conduct of this assignment, to be just and fair to all nominees, without compromising the strict selection process of qualified individuals amongst you that will represent Nigeria abroad,” the committee chairman said.
Noting that there had been reported cases of inaccessibility of some Nigerian diplomats by the country’s citizens in foreign lands, she urged the ambassadors-to-be not to indulge in such acts or show preferential treatment to select few at the expense of others.
“I also wish to use this opportunity to bring to your notice, some previously reported cases of the inaccessibility by some Nigerian Envoys and to strongly caution you to desist from such behavior, if eventually confirmed,” Sunmonu stated.
