I have followed her closely for years now and if there is something I admire about this effervescent woman of substance, it is her passion for positive change and her commitment to a better Nigeria.
I remember clearly her speech during the third edition of our Inspiring Woman Series conference, she spoke from deep within. Everyone in the hall that listened to her could relate with her story, we could identify with her journey because like me, many people have been following her right from her days of working with NTA and till date, she has lived up to her reputation and has surpassed the expectations of many.
Abike Dabiri Erewa is my ‘date’ for this week. She is the Chairman; house committee on Diaspora affairs. She started her educational career at Maryland Convent private school, Ikeja while she attended St. Teresa’s College, Ibadan for her secondary education where she distinguished herself. She obtained her first degree in English Language from the prestigious University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU) Ile – Ife. In pursuit of her quest for knowledge, she obtained a Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Mass Communication and also a Masters Degree in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos, Akoka. She also had a stint at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, USA. This devoted Muslim is happily married to Segun Erewa, someone who Abike says “is my strong pillar and ever supportive husband. He gives me the push and fills me with the can-do-it spirit”. They are blessed with children.
In her second term in office, she was made the Chairman, House Committee on Diaspora Affairs, a new committee with the challenge of ensuring that Nigerians in Diaspora are integrated into developmental activities of their motherland.
Growing up for Abike was fun as she tells me. “I was lucky to have been blessed with a great family all the way. The love and bond was, and is still strong. The influence of my family was great, and positive and so also were the schools I attended. Maryland Convent Primary School, Ikeja, St Theresa College Ibadan. I remember sister Agnes, Principal of St. Theresa College would make me read lessons of the mass, about three times a week. I used to wonder why she kept calling on me. For me that meant I couldn’t dodge mass, but she was preparing me unknowingly, for a career in broadcasting.”
“I had some mischievous moment in school, like jumping the fence to buy ofada rice, which earned five of us two weeks suspension. There was discipline, strong moral values and you learnt to be a lady, with dignity and grace. The combination of my parents made a perfect blend of good upbringing. My experience of Great Ife remains memorable and Unilag too, where I had my Masters in Mass Communication. My experience at Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University was also enlightening and all of these I have mentioned have helped shape my life in one way or the other.”
I couldn’t help but laugh when she shared about her ‘ofada’ experience….hmnn, the things Ofada can make us do…I reminisce but will leave the story in my mind alone.
After fifteen meritorious years at NTA, Abike voluntary retired to contest election into the House of Representatives. She tells me that the leadership course at Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University was a ‘tonic’ that made her decide to give contesting elections a shot. “The program also challenged me on leadership in a developing country like Nigeria. I got up, went to Ikorodu and started participating in ward and party meetings. I did that for about four months before taking a decision after being encouraged by friends like Dele Alade and my family. I then mentioned it to Oluremi Tinubu, who had been involved in a number of philanthropic activities at the NTA, were I worked, and there after I told the leader of the party Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who fully encouraged me, as a woman. With the support of my party leaders, Ikorodu people, men, women, youths, today, all I can say is that I give God all the glory.” She humbly reveals.
As chairman, House Committee on Diaspora affairs, Abike says that one of their very first initiatives was the desire to create an identity for Nigerians living abroad that would encourage their contribution to the social, political and economic development of Nigeria. On resolving issues, they realised that in several countries abroad, Nigerians are languishing in foreign prisons. According to Abike, ‘in Brazil for example, the numbers of Nigerians in jail are more than that of prisoners from the whole of Europe put together. For China, they are thousands, Malaysia is pathetic and what about South-Africa? Same as India. We embarked on visits towards diplomatic measures for them including the case of a 73 year old Nigerian woman who was behind bars in Brazil, the committee paid a lawyer to follow up on her case but eventually she died in a hospital, though the committee was able to get her put under house arrest pending the determination of her case rather than being in prison as Brazilian law permits before she eventually passed on in hospital, due to high blood pressure.”
Abike continues “The Committee also intervened to rescue twenty-four Nigerians slated to be executed in Libya. We have intervened in many countries, Ghana, UAE, South-Africa and so on. We have been to prisons to meet Nigerians there, and we resolved a few matters with the help of our embassy. We always implore them to be of good behaviour, if you commit a crime, you will pay for it. You will be punished. We however try to intervene in cases where justice needs to be done, a few who actually committed no crime but are in jail. That Nigerians are leaving in droves is a serious sign of failure of leadership. A lot of youths are going out legally and illegally seeking often times, hope in hopelessness. The only solution is to fix this country and get leadership right.” I couldn’t agree less but Abike tells me there is good news. Hear it “The good news is that millions of Nigerians are excelling all over the world. Many Nigerians are also doing well by flying the country’s flag high in different sectors in the Diaspora and to drive their achievements back home, the Diaspora Wazobia Magazine was launched. The magazine basically celebrates the numerous laudable attainments of Nigerians in the Diaspora. The maiden edition featured Bayo Ogunlesi, who owns the London Gatwick Airport. The next one featured Issa Odidi, a world renowned Pharmacist, and several others. Also, the committee continuously has advocated also for the provision of a Diaspora Commission to handle all Diaspora matters that would enable proper policy and documentation implementation.” She narrates.
A lot has been happening in Nigeria in recent times that is mind bugling. Abike brings these challenges to the fore when she tells me she is burdened about insecurity in the country among many other things. In her words, “The insecurity in this nation worries me. Whatever the Federal Government is doing to curb terrorism is not working and Government should get out of denial. I have just sent a report from some Nigerians in Diaspora who are experts in these matters to the relevant people. I hope they listen and ask people as such and other experts to join in this war against terrorism. That our president went to dance and rally in Kano at that period still annoys me.”
“How can two hundred and thirty-four girls be carried away just like that and nobody saw them even with check points in a state where there is emergency rule and weeks after their abduction, no credible information about them. Shame of a nation! Those girls most be brought back, safe and sound. Power outage is worse than ever before. Education standard at the tertiary level in particular is falling. Poverty is much more prevalent and corruption has never been carried out with so much impunity and unimaginable recklessness.” She laments.
I really do believe that women can effect positive changes if given the opportunity to do so and the lack of such opportunities is what Abike says needs to change. “Despite our huge population, we are below the ladder in Africa in terms of women in elective positions. We are more in number, contribute more due to our dual roles in the society but the number of female representation in leadership positions is still low compared even to other African countries. Numerous factors such as culture, women’s multiple burdens, lack of resources, unfavourable electoral system and so on, makes it difficult for women to seek elective posts. It is easier to be appointed than to be elected. Many of the few women, who seek to run for offices, usually do not win not because of lack of competence but many factors inhibiting women. However, women must not give up. It is tough but we have to hang in there.” She says.
Since we were chatting up on women involvement in leadership positions, and like the saying goes, ‘truth is known when confirmed from the ‘horse’s mouth’, I decided to ask Abike about the gist going on, which is 5the possibility of her running for the governorship position in Lagos State and she responds “Well, like you said, it is still a rumour but one must truly commend the effective and transformative actions of Governor Babatunde Fashola as he is currently developing Lagos to an enviable height. Nonetheless, I believe Lagos deserves to have the best and someone who can carry on with the good works done by previous Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and currently, Governor Fashola. What I will dwell on is that APC must produce the best man or woman for the job.”
Yes she responded well but I wanted to know what is next for her after ardently serving Nigeria in the House of Representative for years and she asks me “ok Kemi, what do you wish for me? what would you have me do?”. I looked to my left and to my right like I was searching for something missing “What are you looking for Kemi?” Abike asked me and I replied “my ‘magic wand’ of course so I can use my three wishes at once to have you become the first female governor of Lagos State”. Abike burst out laughing but still found the right words to say to me even in the midst of the chortle “Thanks for your wishes Kemi but I pray for God’s will alone to be done. It does not matter who my party eventually chooses from a whole list of competent and able persons, what is most important is that Lagos continues to excel and I will ever willingly give in my best in whatever capacity.”
KEMI AJUMOBI
