Abike Dabiri-Erewa: Exploring A Humanitarian and Philanthropist @ 58

By Solomon Akpensongun

Born two years after Nigerian’s Independence, in Jos, Plateau State to the family of Alhaji and Alhaja Ashafa Erogbogbo of Ikorodu, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa is an embodiment of kindness and compassion. Her father, Alhaji Ashafa Erogbogbo is of the children of late Alh Sule Erogbogbo of Adegorunsen Compound, Ajina Square, Ita-Agbodo, Ikorodu.

She is married to Segun Erewa.
Fondly called: ‘Mother Theresa of the Tubes’ because of her compassion for the downtrodden and now ‘Lady Diaspora’ for her pioneering efforts in putting Diaspora Affairs on the front burner, Hon Dabiri-Erewa spent 15 years with the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) where she distinguished herself in her outstanding career as a broadcast.

While serving as a Journalist in NTA, she gained a strong understanding of the industry because of her dedication and professionalism. She anchored the weekly NTA News line programme to the admiration of many Nigerians irrespective of their tribal or religious affiliations.

Hon Dabiri-Erewa warmed her into the hearts of million Nigerians with her gallantry efforts of using television as an effective medium to draw attention to the millions of Nigerians suffering from the pain of poverty, agony and injustice.

Her commitment and passionate dedication to duty while working on several heart-touching News line stories stood her out and endeared her to many as demonstrated in the story of little Mary, the miracle baby for 8 years.

An ardent believer in rendering humanitarian services, the veteran journalist retired meritoriously from the services of the Nigerian Television Authority to run as a member of the House of Representatives and emerged victoriously.
While serving as a House Member, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa distinguished herself by working round the clock and was one of the lawmakers that stood against the third term bid of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

In her second term in office, she was the Chairman, House Committee on Diaspora Affairs, a new Committee with the challenge of ensuring that Nigerians living abroad are integrated into developmental activities of their fatherland.

As a result of her passionate disposition in handling Diaspora Affairs while in the House of Representatives, Hon Dabiri-Erewa was appointed as the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora.

And in November 2018, Dabiri-Erewa was given a new role of Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), the Commission she agitated for its creation when she was still serving as a National Legislature.

At NiDCOM, Hon Abike again demonstrated that Nigeria and Nigerians have a positive story to tell as she tried using several fora to recast the negative image of Nigeria abroad and promptly attending to the yearnings of Nigerians abroad.

Nigerians who once lived in South Africa will always be thankful to ‘Lady Diaspora’ for the prompt intervention in the xenophobic experience that rendered them homeless on the African soil as the NiDCOM boss perfected their immediate evacuation back to Nigeria and equally arranged their resettlements in two tranches

Again, during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, Hon Dabiri-Erewa demonstrated her diligence in service by timely evacuating over 6,000 ill-treated and stranded Nigerians back home in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nigeria Missions abroad.

One can equally hardly deny the fact that the quick and timely response in the case of Zainab Habibu Aliyu, a 22-year old girl who was imprisoned by the Saudi Authority for an offence she knew nothing about, served as a magic wand for the helpless girl and President Buhari swiftly intervened to save her life through the unrelenting efforts of the NiDCOM Boss, Hon Dabiri-Erewa.

In her usual humanitarian display, when Oladapo Bisola Sulait, a 19-year old student who was down with Lymphoblastic Leukemia cried for help and needed to get to India urgently for medical attention, ‘Mother Theresa of the tube’, Hon Dabiri-Erewa resolved her challenge within 24 hours.

It is thus undeniably that Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa has been a voice for the voiceless and remains a symbol of hope and inspiration to many. Her sterling contributions and achievements are not lost on many, as she has received several recognition and awards both at home and abroad.

Indeed, the NiDCOM Boss has been demonstrating in deeds and actions that, ‘Success is not about age, it is not about character, it is not how much you have but how many lives you are able to touch’, which her guiding philosophy.

We at Eko Hot Blog thus warmly celebrate with this rare gem of a woman as she marks her 58th birthday on this day in very tawdry style as we keep to the dictates of the COVID-19 pandemic which refute marmot gatherings.