Senate confirms Bianca as ambassador

The Senate on Wednesday confirmed the nomination of Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu, wife of the late Ikemba Nnewi, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, as an ambassador, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

Ojukwu’s confirmation followed the consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs following which her nomination was unanimously approved by the senators.

Bianca, a former beauty queen, was nominated as an ambassador by President Goodluck Jonathan along with 87 others but was unable to attend the screening with other nominees following the death of her husband on November 10, 2011.

The Senator Matthew Nwagwu (PDP-Imo) led committee on Foreign Affairs eventually screened her on April 25 and recommended that she be confirmed as an ambassador.

Senate President David Mark in a brief remark said he was convinced that Ojukwu would represent the country well.

“I believe she will represent us very well; I also congratulate the women because that makes up for their 35 per cent affirmation action and even more.”

The Senate also confirmed the nomination of Dr Saleh Okenwa as a member of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.

Okenwa is a Sheikh from Imo State, and Mark congratulated the state on producing a Sheikh.

Punch