Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai (Rtd) has been appointed as Nigeria’s ambassador to the Benin Republic.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, presented the letter of credence to the ex-service chief on Tuesday.
Similarly, the former Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin (rtd) has been appointed as the head of mission to Cameroon, according to a statement made available by the Information Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa.
The statement read, “The Honourable 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 call on them to deploy their wealth of experience to promote Nigeria’s interest during their tour of duty in countries of accreditation.”
Gatekeepers News reports that President Muhammadu Buhari had in February appointed the service chiefs as non-career ambassadors, a decision greeted with mixed reactions.
The Senate on February 23, 2021, confirmed their nominations despite oppositions by some Nigerians.
