TheCable

Festus Keyamo, former minister of state for labour and employment, says he was about to embark on a vacation when his name was announced as a ministerial nominee on the floor of the senate.

TheCable reported that on Friday, President Bola Tinubu sent Keyamo’s name as a ministerial nominee to the senate for screening and confirmation.

Speaking on Monday when he appeared before the senate, Keyamo thanked the president for nominating him, noting that he had given up all hopes of receiving any appointment.

“My appearance here today can only be by the grace of God and the special benevolence of our President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.

“I want to say a special thank you to him for giving me this rare opportunity to serve.

“In fact, why I say I give all the glory and adoration to God is that on Friday when my name was announced on this floor, my bags were already packed and that of my family. We were going on a short vacation.

“I had given up any hope to be here when all of a sudden they said my name had been announced.

“Then from Lagos I started rushing back and we had to cancel our trips to go on vacation. So, I give God all the glory and all the adoration.

“I am a member of the inner bar. I am a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

“I have practised law for about 30 years and I am also a fellow of the chartered institute of arbitration in the United Kingdom and so, I also practise international arbitration.

“I was called to the Nigerian bar about 30 years ago and over this period, I have used the instrumentality of the law in many situations to advance the cause of democracy and the respect for the rule of law.

“That has been the story of my life.”

Keyamo’s screening turned controversial and divisive. Some lawmakers called for the screening to be stepped down due to the former minister’s previous brushes with the senate.