Ambassadors: Reno Omokri Remains Uncleared By Mexico As 65 Others Receive Letters Of Credence

By Ayodele Oni 

The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs has disclosed that necessary steps are being taken to ensure that two of the 69 Ambassadors appointed few months ago secured acceptance in their countries of posting.

The Ministry announced that 65 of the 69 ambassadors appointed by President Bola Tinubu have received diplomatic acceptance from their respective host countries, representing a 97 per cent success rate in the ongoing posting of Nigeria’s envoys abroad.

The Ministry made this known in a statement issued on Saturday by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, who said the high acceptance rate underscores the smooth progress of the diplomatic process.

According to the ministry, two of the four outstanding appointments resulted from unforeseen circumstances. Grace Bent, who was nominated as Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Togo, declined the appointment, while Mohammed Mahmud Lele, the ambassador-designate to Algeria, died before assuming office.

Lele passed away on April 19 in Ankara, Turkey, following a prolonged illness. The ministry said the process of appointing a replacement for the late diplomat is already underway.

Although the ministry did not officially identify the two countries yet to grant diplomatic consent, it was gathered that one of them is Mexico.

Former presidential spokesperson, Reno Omokri, was nominated as Nigeria’s ambassador to Mexico,

 Ebienfa, however, expressed optimism that the remaining approvals would soon be secured, noting that the Ministry has received positive assurances from both countries.

He said the two friendly nations had indicated that their formal consent would be conveyed in due course, adding that the diplomatic engagement has continued to progress smoothly and successfully.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to assure Nigerians and the international stakeholders that it is actively engaging the relevant authorities in the two countries and is confident that the outstanding a.greements will be conveyed in due course,” the statement read.

The ministry further revealed that the majority of the ambassadors whose appointments have been accepted have since arrived in their respective host countries and presented their letters of credence, formally commencing their duties as Nigeria’s principal diplomatic representatives.