By Afolabi Rachel and Abimbola Abatta
Nigeria is no doubt blessed with nume-rous influential personalities. These are Nigerians who have played and are still playing active and vital roles in standing up for the development of the country, while boosting the country’s image of at the international level.
In a world where men occupy a larger percentage of the corporate field, many women have continued to change the game as they show the world their dexterity as outstanding leaders.
These are women who have, over the years, proved their mettle as great forces to be reckoned with. Many of them are extending the frontiers of excellence in leadership roles. They have not only carved a name for themselves but have also made a landmark by touching lives.
In addition, they are strong sources of inspiration, and their remarkable deeds can never be forgotten or washed away in the sands of time.
One of the great amazons that has ever walked the earth is Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and there is so much to say about this woman. She fits right in with the female warriors of old, all of whom share a boldness startling like that of lionesses, and awe-inducing intelligence like that of the philosophers of old. Dabiri-Erewa continues to take long strides in the pursuit of her dream.
Being a very focused person, she is committed to giving her best. She is an industrious woman, a humanitarian and goal getter whose gallantry efforts and passionate dedication to duty warmed her way into the hearts of many. She has skillfully put her influence and platform to good use for the betterment of the country.
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa fondly called “Mother of Theresa of the tube” earned the name for herself as a result of her dedicated stance and passion for helping others. She has an outstanding career as a broadcaster with fifteen years of distinguished and meritorious service at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
While in NTA, she gained a strong understanding of the industry because of her dedication, inquisitiveness and professionalism. She anchored the weekly NTA News line programme to the delight of millions of Nigerians.
While working as a journalist, she used the broadcast medium as an effective tool to draw attention to the numerous Nigerians suffering from the pains of poverty and injustice. She worked on several heart touching news stories that stood her out and endeared her to many.
After making her mark in Journalism, she dived into the train of politics and has by far done exceedingly well.
Hon. Dabiri-Erewa, a Nigerian politician and former member of the Nigeria Federal House of Representatives representing Ikorodu Constituency in Lagos State, was the Chairman of the House Committee on Media & Publicity. As Chairman, House Committee on Media, her complete openness and transparency gave the House a credible image.
She also served as the former Chairperson of the House Committee on Diaspora Affairs. She was elected for the first time in 2003, and re-elected in 2007 and 2011. In her second term in office, she was the Chairman, House Committee on Diaspora Affairs, a Committee dedicated to ensuring that Nigerians in the Diaspora are integrated into developmental activities of their motherland.
Dabiri-Erewa’s major spotlight as Chairman, House Committee on Diaspora Affairs was her advocacy and calls for justice and fairness for Nigerians abroad. And of course, countries, her intervention was impactful.
Some of the Bills she championed and sponsored include the Freedom of Information Bill (FOI bill) and the Violence Against persons Bill, Nigerian Infant Welfare Scheme Bill, Nigerians with Disabilities Bill, A Bill to amend the railway act to allow private sector and state participation, Nigerian Diaspora Commission Bill, and A Bill to Promote the Advancement of Nigerian Women and Girls.
She was appointed as the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora in 2015. And she facilitated the establishment of a private sector investment window for Nigerians abroad. The investment option called the Nigerian Diaspora Investment Trust Fund aim to enable Nigerians outside of the country to directly participate in the growth of the Nigerian economy by investing in the many opportunities.
Her pioneering efforts in putting Diaspora Affairs on the front burner cannot go un-applauded. When she rose to power as the Chairman/CEO of Nigeria in the Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), she said she would pour her resources into more than protecting Nigerians in the diaspora from the unfairness characteristic of living in a foreign land. She promised to improve the financial conditions of Nigerians abroad, the ones at home, as well as the economic situation of the country as a whole.
Thanks to Dabiri-Erewa and NiDCOM, distance is no longer a barrier for Nigerians in the diaspora who are worried for their homeland. Moreover, the more the nation’s economy improves, the better its global ranking. In the same way, those in the diaspora will be treated much better.
Her pursuit for social justice and immense contribution to political and economic development of the nation has earned her many awards.
As a woman game-changer, she has proven beyond reasonable doubts that what makes a life meaningful is the impact it has on other people’s lives. Also, when a woman understands her strength and what she is capable of achieving, she can make massive impact.