By Jennifer Y Omiloli
President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Abike Dabiri-Erewa as chairman and chief executive officer of the National Diaspora Commission.
Senate president, Bukola Saraki, read the president’s letter seeking legislative approval for the appointment at the plenary today.
Scroll down to read the profile of Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
Abike Kafayat Oluwatoyin Dabiri-Erewa was born in Jos, Plateau State, she is a Nigerian politician and former member of the Nigeria Federal House of Representatives representing Ikorodu Constituency in Lagos State.
Dabiri-Erewa was born to the family of Alhaji and Alhaja Ashafa Erogbogbo of Ikorodu. Her father, Alhaji Ashafa Erogbogbo is one of the children of late Alh. Sule Erogbogbo of Adegorunsen Compound, Ajina square, Ita – Agbodo, Ikorodu. Her paternal grandmother, Alhaja Alimotu Erobogbo is from Bello Solebo family of Ita – Elewa Square, Ikorodu.
The politician who is currently Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, is married to Segun Erewa.
Dabiri-Erewa attended Maryland Private School, Maryland, Ikeja for her primary school education, and St. Teresa’s College, Ibadan for her secondary education. She obtained her first degree in English Language from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU) Ile – Ife.
The newly appointed chairman obtained a post graduate diploma (PGD) in mass communication and also a master’s degree in mass communication from the University of Lagos, Akoka. She also studied in the United States at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Dabiri-Erewa worked for the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) for fifteen years, anchoring the weekly NTA Newsline programme and taking a particular interest in poverty and social justice issues. She retired from her position at Nigerian Television Authority to stand for election in the House of Representatives, winning with a substantial majority. While in this role, she stood against the third term bid of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
She was the Chairman, House Committee on Media in Federal House of Representative from 2003 to 2007, Honourable Member, Federal House of Representative from 2003 to 2007, Board Member, Lagos State Broadcasting Corporation Vision 2010, Honourable Member, Federal House of Representative from the year 2007 to 2011.
While she was at the House of Representatives, Dabiri-Erewa chaired the House Committee on Diaspora Affairs.
In 2015 She was appointed as the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora.
