Screening Only Half of the Process – Senate Tells Ambassadorial Nominees as Committee Concludes Exercise
By Fatima Saka
The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs on Thursday concluded the screening of another batch of ambassadorial nominees, including Senator Nora Ladi Daduut, Reno Omokri and several others, reiterating that the exercise is only the first stage before full confirmation by the entire Senate.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Sani Bello, announced the end of the session after hours of interactions, noting that all nominees, except one from Yobe State who failed to appear—had been assessed. “We have concluded this exercise. All the nominees have been screened, but one has not shown up. I think he has some problems; we don’t know. With your permission, instead of inviting each of you again, he can see me in the office,” he said.
He further cautioned that taking a bow before the committee should not be misconstrued as confirmation, stressing that the final decision rests with the full Senate during plenary. “Taking a bow today does not guarantee clearance by the Senate until the entire chamber says so,” Bello warned.
A long list of nominees—including career diplomats, political nominees, former ministers and ex-service chiefs—appeared before the committee. Those screened included Ambassador Ayo Luther Ogomode, Ambassador Wahab Akande, Ambassador Adam Umar Banko, Danlami Ibrahim, Reno Omokri, Senator Nora Ladi Daduut, Ambassador Mahmoud Lele Mohammed, Professor Isaac Adewole, retired Lt.-Gen. Abdurrahman Dambazau, and several former ministers and ambassadors.
Throughout the session, motions were repeatedly adopted allowing many career and serving diplomats to take a bow and leave. One female nominee received strong endorsements from senators, who praised her competence and character before permitting her to exit.
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During the final round, no objections or petitions were raised against any nominee. When asked, committee members unanimously confirmed that there were none, clearing the nominees to depart.
With the screening exercise concluded, the nominees now await the decisive stage, consideration and confirmation by the full Senate at plenary. The committee emphasised that its work represents only half of the process, and the final verdict lies with the entire chamber.
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