Chief Femi Fani-Kayode on Thursday received a major political boost as the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs screened him for an ambassadorial position — a session that lasted only minutes and ended with the former minister being asked to “bow and go.”
Fani-Kayode, who introduced himself as a former Minister of Aviation and former Minister of Culture and Tourism, was given the traditional legislative privilege reserved for high-ranking former public officers. The committee raised no questions after his introduction, clearing the way for his onward confirmation by the full Senate.
The screening of the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain triggered a wave of congratulatory messages nationwide, the most prominent coming from the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II.
Delivering the monarch’s message, Sooko (Dr.) Kemade Elugbaju, Ambassador Plenipotentiary to the Ooni, said the entire Ife Kingdom and Osun State are proud of the recognition extended to one of their most illustrious sons.
He described Chief Fani-Kayode — bearer of multiple traditional titles including the Aare Ajagunla of Otun Ekiti, Sadaukin Shinkafi, Wakilin Doka Potiskum, and Otunba Joga Orile — as a descendant of a distinguished lineage of administrators, reformers and spiritual leaders.
The statement traced his heritage from his father, Chief Remi Fani-Kayode, the late Balogun of Ife and former Deputy Premier of the Western Region; to his grandfather, Justice Adedapo Kayode, one of Nigeria’s earliest judges; and his great-grandfather, Rev. Emmanuel Kayode, among the pioneers of Christianity and social reform in Ile-Ife.
According to the Ooni’s message:
“Kabiyesi, the Ooni, expresses pride and joy, while wishing you continued success and grace in your new role as Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The people of Ifeland and Osun State say: ‘Well done, and more grace.’”
The monarch praised Fani-Kayode’s record of appointing numerous Osun indigenes into strategic aviation parastatals during his time as Aviation Minister, expressing confidence that he would do even more for Nigeria in his new diplomatic assignment.
The Ooni also extended profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for what he described as “a great honour to Ife and the Kayode lineage.”
With today’s screening completed, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode now awaits full Senate confirmation to formally assume his role as Ambassador-designate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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