Moment of shock, surprise and melo drama characterised the legislative deliberation in the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly on Tuesday following a report on the Career Diplomats submitted to the Senate by President Muhammadu Buhari for approval.

This arose during the consideration of the report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, concerning the screening of 47 Career Diplomats as submitted by the Chairman, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, on the floor of the Senate, which indicated that some of the nominees could neither sing the National Anthem nor recite the National Pledge.

When asked by the Senate President Bukola Saraki, “How many of the 47 nominees couldn’t sing the National Anthem?” during the plenary on Tuesday, Sunmonu clearly stated that “14 Ambassadorial Nominees could not sing the National Anthem and four others could not recite the National Pledge.”

Senator Peter Nwaoboshi representing Delta North, who was indifferent about the shameful situation, said: “I expect this Committee to single out the names of the nominees that could not sing the National Anthem to be dropped,” adding that “it’s a serious issue as the Ambassador is the country’s representative abroad.”

While further expatiating on the report, Senator Sunmonu admitted that Seniority, Gender Balance and remaining years of service were looked at in screening the 47 career nominees.

Senator Gbenga Ashafa representing Lagos East, while speaking on the development, said: “It was only fright that made them unable to sing the anthem.”

Senate Leader Ali Ndume however, pleaded that the nominees be allowed to get to the peak of their careers before retiring even as the National Anthem is important.

Senate, thereafter, moved into its Committee of the whole for the approval of the nomination of the 47 Career Ambassadors and were all approved.

•Photo shows Senator Monsurat Sunmonu.

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