Starrays
BY ZACK TSEBEE – NASS Independent Publisher
The Nigeria Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs cleared Aminu Dalhatu, Ayodele Oke and Kayode Are after a thorough screening session at the National Assembly Complex, Three Arms Zone, Abuja on Wednesday 3r, Dec., 2025.
The Screening focused on National Security, previous service records and controversies linked to past operational decisions; Are is a Former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Dalhatu served as Nigeria’s ambassador to South Korea while Oke, a former director-general of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), previously served as Nigeria’s ambassador to the Commonwealth secretariat in London.
The Senate questioned that, NIA under Oke’s watch, the agency collected $289,202,382 cash from the account of the National Petroleum Investment Management Services at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Feb. 2015 after the Postponement of the General Election.
He seeks permission to clear air on the the allegation raised before the floor, Oke stressed that, under his mentorship, between 2013 and 2017, the NIA recorded unprecedented progress, organisational, operational and infrastructural.
The nominee maintained that, the agency reached heights it had never attained in its previous three decades.
Biblically, he quoted author Philip Y. and compared his experience to figures Bible such as Joseph, Job, Esther and Ruth, saying he bore the turbulence with equanimity. Oke said he relied on three guiding principles; God, country and honour which shaped his 38-year career in public service.
Oke also lamented that, the affliction deeply affected him, noting that his 86 years old mother died during the period, the distress caused by propaganda and damaging narratives.
The Committee later commends Oke’s explanations and acknowledges the sensitivity of the issue raised and acknowledges the three nominees as they presented strong credentials drawn from decades of work in diplomacy, intelligence and public administration.
Sen. Bello commends President Tinubu their nomination as timely and a wonderful choice adding that they had demonstrated competence and readiness for the task before them.In conclusion, the committee unanimously advocate the confirmation of the three nominees.
