Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) has thrown her support behind President Bola Tinubu’s nominee for the position of Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Ambassador Ismail Yusuf, highlighting his diplomatic expertise and Kogi roots.
Akpoti-Uduaghan praised Yusuf’s extensive career in diplomacy, noting his service in countries including Türkiye, China, Argentina, Russia, Italy, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, and France. She described him as “the perfect person” for the role and congratulated him as her “dear Igala brother.”
The endorsement came during Yusuf’s screening by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Senator Abubakar Bello (APC, Niger), in Abuja. The Senator emphasized that his international exposure and professional experience make him exceptionally qualified to lead NAHCON.
Yusuf served as Nigeria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Türkiye from 2021 to 2024, where he played a key role in strengthening bilateral relations. He was nominated by President Tinubu to replace Professor Abdullahi Usman, who resigned after 14 months in office.
The nomination has been forwarded to the Senate for confirmation in line with Section 3(2) of the NAHCON Act, 2006. The Senate is expected to conclude deliberations and announce its decision following the submission of the committee’s report.
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