Ambassadorial Role: Fani-Kayode, Dambazau, Others Face Senate Committee

The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, on Thursday, screened two ambassadorial nominees – former ministers, Femi Fani-Kayode and Abdulrahman Dambazau, and were asked to take a ‘bow and go’.

Fani-Kayode, a former Minister of Aviation, and Dambazau, a former Minister of Interior, had already undergone full Senate screening during their previous ministerial confirmations under past administrations.

During Thursday’s session, the committee took only brief introductions from the nominees before asking both former ministers, as well as other former ambassadors, who were freshly nominated, to “take a bow and leave.”

The panel said the gesture was in keeping with long-standing Senate tradition, considering their earlier vetting and their years of public service.

Defending the use of the procedure, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the “take a bow and go” privilege is reserved for certain individuals with proven and traceable records of national service.

Bamidele added that anyone who has served in the National Assembly automatically qualifies for the courtesy, noting that their “legislative history and public profile are already well known to lawmakers.”

The nominees’ screening outcome now rests with the full Senate at plenary for endorsement.