It was shock and embarrassment Tuesday as a nominee for the position of career ambassador, Mrs. Vivian Okeke, failed the test of reciting the Nigerian national anthem.

This happened at the screening exercise by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs at the National Assembly.

Mrs. Okeke from Anambra State had responded eloquently to questions thrown at her and was almost set to take her leave when she was asked to recite the anthem during which she stuttered and mumbled to the dismay of senators and others present.

Recall that the Senate had resolved to screen the 47 career ambassadorial nominees sent to it by President Muhammadu Buhari for confirmation after an initial query about the lopsidedness of the list.

The Senator Monsurat Sumonu- led committee questioned the nominees who appeared Tuesday  on issues bordering on diplomacy as well as their experiences in foreign missions.

Before the screening, Senator Sumonu said President Buhari considered federal character, seniority, gender, competence and time left in service before making the nominations.

The screening of the nominees is subject to confirmation by the senate in plenary. ORDERPAPER