The glittering political career of Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the three term representative of Ikorodu Federal Constituency at the Federal House of Representative, attained another feat on May 9, 2019, when she was confirmed by the Senate as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Diaspora Commission.
Before her confirmation, she was a Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Diasporal Affairs. The Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, had on November 6, 2018, read a letter from President Buhari seeking Legislative approval for the appointment of Honorable Erewa as Diaspora Commission’s Chairman.
In the letter, the President based his request on section 2 (1) of the Nigeria Diaspora Commission act. “In compliance with section 2(1) of the Nigeria Diaspora Commission, I write to forward for confirmation of the Senate the confirmation of Hon. Abike Dabiri as the Executive Chairman/CEO of Nigeria Diaspora Commission,” the letter read. “Her Curriculum Vitae is attached herewith while I hope that this request will receive the usual expeditious consideration of the distinguished Senate.”
The Senate’s approval followed the adoption of the screening report by the committee on Diaspora and Non-governmental Organisations, which was presented by the Chairman, Senator Rose Oko. In her presentation, Senator Oko said Dabiri-Erewa possesses wide experience in the public sector and the necessary qualifications. She also said the nominee possesses exposure, experience in politics and government policies. She, therefore, recommended the confirmation. She explained that no member of the Board of the Commission has been appointed by the Executive or sent to the Senate for confirmation.
The Senate, thereafter, confirmed Dabiri-Erewa, after which the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, congratulated her and wished her a successful tenure. He described Dabiri-Erewa’s appointment as one that that was well deserved. The Senate President also thanked the Senate committee for its effort in ensuring that the process of the confirmation was concluded on time. “On behalf of the 8th Senate, let me congratulate Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa on this appointment, which is well deserved,” Saraki said.
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa hails from Ikorodu Local Government Area of Lagos. Born on October 11, 1962, the presidential aide had Bachelors of Arts (English) 1983, Post Graduate degree (Mass Communication) 1986 and Masters of Science (Mass Communication) 1987. She also obtained a Professional certificate from John Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, USA in June 2002. Dabiri-Erewa, who had her youth service with NAN from 1983 to 1984, contested and was elected on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) as a member Federal House of Representatives for two terms from 2003 to 2011