Bianca, Maduekwe, Tafida, others recalled, may be sacked

President Muhammadu Buhari has recalled ambassadors in foreign countries. The recall is part of efforts to reposition the country’s foreign policy. The development which may be lead to the sack of the envoys would be the biggest since President Buhari assumed office on May 29.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, who confirmed the recall, however said only non-career ambassadors are affected.

He said: “Yes, I can confirm to you that non-career ambassadors have been recalled by the Federal Government.”

Prominent among those recalled are a former Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Ojo Maduekwe (Canada); Chairman of the Jonathan Presidential Campaign Organisation in the 2011 election, Dr. Dalhatu Tafida (UK); Professor Ade Adefuye (USA); widow of late Ikemba Nnewi, Chief Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Bianca (Spain) and former deputy governor of Oyo State, Mr. Taofeek Arapaja (Jordan).

Others are a former Aviation minister, Mrs. Fidelia Njeze (Switzerland); ex-General Manager, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Ibadan, Mr. Yemi Farounbi (Philippines); a one-time governorship aspirant in Lagos State, Mr. Olatokunbo Kamson (Jamaica); a PDP front liner in Ondo State, Mr. Cornelius Oluwateru (UAE); Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Bunu (Saudi Arabia); a former Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General in Benue State, Mr. Chive Kaave (Argentina); a former financial secretary of the PDP, Alhaji Tukur Mani (Iran) and former permanent secretary, Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA Biodun Nathaniel Olorunfemi (Namibia).

Read also: Buhari not in a hurry to appoint ministers

Also on the list are: Chief Asam Asam (SAN), (Russia); Mr. Okwudili Nwosu (Burundi); Mr. Okeke Chukwuemeka (Vatican); Mr. Eric Aworahbi (Italy); Dauda Danladi (Pakistan); and Mrs. Katherine Okon (Czeck Republic); Mr. Nwofe Alexander,; Princess Victoria Bosede Onipede (Republic of Congo); Senator Haruna Garba (Kuwait); Mrs. Nonye Rajis-Okpara (Singapore); Chief Eddy Onuoha (Hungary); Mr. Adamu Babangida Ibrahim (Syria) and Dr. Sam Jimba (Poland).

They were among the 93 envoys posted out in June 2012. Authoritative sources said last night in Abuja that the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, had communicated the President’s directive to the affected ambassadors. They were told to hand over to the highest ranking officer in their various locations.

 

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