I stayed in hotel for one year as Spain ambassador because Nigerian embassy in Madrid was dilapidated— Bianca Ojukwu, ministerial nominee

Ministerial nominee Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has said she stayed in hotel for one year, as Nigeria’s ambassador to Spain.

Mrs Odumegwu-Ojukwu made the startling revelation earlier today, during her appearance before the Senate, but she proffered the reason why this was so.

This follows President Bola Tinubu’s decision to nominate her as the Minister of State, Foreign Affairs.

The president submitted the names of seven ministerial nominees who are now undergoing screening.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated that her stay in hotel for one year was as a result of the dilapidated state of the Nigerian embassy in Madrid.

Nevertheless, she justified her ministerial nomination adding that she had a past record that could speak for her.

“I would like to say that my past records speak for me.

“As an ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain, I spent an entire year in one hotel room because when I got to Spain, the mission building was in such an appalling condition.”

“The embassy was located very close to the upscale estate of Galagao, where people would pass by on their way to various events and matches.

“It was disheartening that this decadent structure represented Nigeria in such a prestigious area,” she stated.

“The Nigerian embassy in Madrid that you see today is the product of my time in that country,” she told members of the upper chamber

“In most missions, because of no more funding, most ambassadors are constrained when it comes to carrying out refurbishments.

“It is unfortunate because a lot of embassies are going through this situation, and it has, to a large extent, diminished our standing around the world.

“This is something that the government, under this president, should look into.

“It is imperative that when you are in those exchanges, you meet your patrons and colleagues in environments that reflect Nigeria’s true standing,” Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu stated.