The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, recently addressed concerns about the delay in nominating ambassadors, citing the normal pace of governance and political processes as the reason for the holdup. During the 5th Ministerial Press Briefing in Abuja, Tuggar assured the public that the list of ambassadorial nominees would soon be sent to the Senate for approval. He acknowledged the delay as a common aspect of governance and politics, stating that the nominations have been finalized and will be submitted shortly.
Tuggar reassured that despite the absence of appointed ambassadors, mission officers are effectively managing Nigeria’s embassies to ensure uninterrupted diplomatic operations. He emphasized that various officers, including immigration, defense, and military personnel, are overseeing embassy functions in the absence of ambassadors.
In a separate matter, Tuggar discussed the evacuation of infants from Gaza, revealing that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs collaborated with the Red Cross, alongside the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, to address the situation. The Red Cross sought assistance from the ministry in relocating vulnerable infants to hospitals in Jordan, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates due to health issues like heart defects. After careful deliberation, it was decided not to bring the infants to Nigeria, and instead, diplomatic efforts were made to have them admitted into hospitals in the aforementioned countries.
Overall, Tuggar’s statements highlighted the ongoing processes within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasizing the commitment to addressing challenges and ensuring the smooth functioning of diplomatic activities.