Hon Abike Dabiri Erewa and Senator Dr Grace Bent of Nigeria government confirmed as women of the day on Divas of colour 2014. Both women are top powerful voices in the Nigerian politics and each plays a very important role in making sure that policies regarding women development are properly addressed. They are both very keen on helping to eradicate poverty and illiteracy in Nigeria through their different offices and projects.
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Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa credite/fauntee.com |
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa is the honourable woman of the day and recognised as a Diva Ambassador for divas of colour 2014.
This is a woman whose profile continues to grow both locally, nationally and internationally, not just because of her political position but for her interest and quest to bring a positive change both to families, children, women and humanity in general.
Hon. Abike Kafayat Oluwatoyin Dabiri Erewa (Nee Erogbogbo) was born to the family of Alhaji and Alhaja Ashafa Erogbogbo of Ikorodu. She is a member house of representative Ikorodu federal constituency Lagos Nigeria, chairperson house committee on Diaspora affairs. Her strong values and demonstrated ability to achieve results can be traced to the influence of her parent who taught her the importance of hard work, determination and service to humanity.
Hon Abike Who is an alumnus of Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, USA, started her education at the Maryland Convent private school, Ikeja. She proceeded to St. Teresa’s College, Ibadan for her secondary School Education. Thereafter, she attended the prestigious University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU) Ile – Ife where she obtained a degree in English Language.
Throughout her time in OAU, she was a forceful voice for change among her peers. 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.
Famous nationwide as an outstanding media practitioner, Hon Abike Dabiri Erewa fondly called “Mother of Teresa of the tube” because of her kindness, love and compassion for the less privileged spent 15 years of distinguished and meritorious service at the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA). Hon. Dabiri –Erewa warmed her way into the hearts of many Nigerians both young and old with her gallantry and unbiased efforts of using television as an effective tool to draw attention to the plight of Millions of Nigerians suffering from the pains of poverty and injustice. We can never forget the story of Mary the miracle baby, a heart touching story Abike investigated for 8 years while anchoring Newsline. Mary is amongst other children benefiting from the Abike Dabiri-Erewa scholarship program. Hon Abike Dabiri -Erewa has become one of the nation’s most respected leader, a powerful voice for equality and justice, and a fighter for economic fairness.
Elected in 2003 to represent the Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Lagos State by a landslide victory because the people of Ikorodu wanted a leader that can find solutions to today’s most pressing problems and no better person fits this position than this Amazon, Philanthropist and leader – Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa
Since her election in 2003, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa has been widely recognized as a tenacious advocate for her constituency, a tireless crusader for change, and an unrivaled supporter for social justice and fundamental human rights. She is a third term member of the Nigerian House of Representatives. She has also served as Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs. As chairman house committee on media, she worked at uplifting the image of the house by rebuilding the confidence of Nigerians in the Parliament through openness and transparency.
As someone who knows the importance of standing up for what is right, no matter how powerful the opposition is, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa was also a strong voice against the third term project of the then President of Nigeria Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. She was appointed as Chairman Diaspora affairs from 2007 to 2011, a position she still occupies till date. The House Committee on Diaspora Affairs is a new Committee with the challenge of ensuring that Nigerians in Diaspora are encouraged to come back home and contribute to the development of our dear country Nigeria. The Diaspora Committee under her dynamic leadership has brought to the fore, the plethora of snags, problems and difficulties encountered by different Nigerians in several countries of the world. The Committee intervened to rescue 24 Nigerians slated to be executed in Libya, intervened to reduce the menace of Nigerian prostitutes in Italy , made several interventions in India, China , Czechoslovakia, China, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Cairo and even had to pay lawyers to assist some; such was the case of a 73 years old Nigerian woman who was behind bars in Brazil ,the committee under her leadership, encouraged her, paid a lawyer to follow up on her case but eventually she died in a hospital, but the committee was able to get her out of the prison to house arrest before she eventually passed on in an hospital.
It will be recalled that, in the 6th National Assembly, She championed and sponsored the FOI bill which has now been signed into law in Nigeria. It is noteworthy to mention some of the other bills she had sponsored which includes- Nigerian Infant Welfare Scheme Bill, Nigeria with Disabilities Bill, Nigeria Press Council Bill, Nigeria Diaspora Commission Bill, An Act to Eliminate Violence in Private and Public Life and A Bill to Promote the Advancement of Nigerian Women and Girls.
Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa has spoken up for families , supported bills that addressed the problems of the common Nigerian on the street, stood against dictatorship among public office holders, held powerful institutions accountable and has continue to work to build a Nigeria that lives up to the ideals of our founding fathers. Hon Abike Dabiri- Erewa’s legislative accomplishments as a representative of the parliament and motivational speaker within and outside the shores of Nigeria cannot go unnoticed , for her strong values and her proven record of accomplishment, she has been endorsed by a wide range of elected officials , civil organizations and she has been honored with several awards and accolades recognizing her success around the world; some of them are:
• 2013 International African Woman By Women 4 Africa in London
• Representative of the year 2012 by Facts & Potential Magazine
• This Day 50 Women At 50 Achievers Award 2012
• Nigerian In Diaspora Organization Globe Awards F.R.N people’s choice Awards 2011
• Congressman Donald M. Payne (US House of Reps) Award and Certificate of special congressional recognition for her unwavering commitment to humanity and serving as Chairwoman for Nigeria House Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs, 2010.
• OAU @ 50 Ife; Merit Award for Excellence in recognition of her Immense Contribution to Political & Economic Development of the Nation OCT, 17, 2012; Presented by the Faculty of Science
• Award of Excellence in the Pursuit of Social Justice for all, organized by Nigerian institute of Public relations, November 2011
• African Parliamentary Award
• Committee Chairman of the Decade, 2010.
• Winner of the NIDO Global Award, Canada
• Federal Republic of Nigeria people choice awards, 2010.
She has participated in several international governmental and non-governmental forums. She was the first non-ethnic Indian invited to speak and participate at the annual Indian Diaspora day, in recognition of her performance as the chair of the Diaspora committee. She remains committed to bringing the dividends of Democracy to every Nigerians and will continue working tirelessly on behalf of Lagos State.
This sterling Amazon and pride of Ikorodu and Lagos State has not only distinguished herself in the House, she has also been able to bring about positive development to her constituency, state and the nation. Her comportment in the House is indeed a quality worthy of emulation by others in position of leadership. Hon Abike Dabiri- Erewa is honored to continue representing Ikorodu constituency in the House of Representative.
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Senator Dr. Grace Folashade Bent Former african legislator also an Honourable woman of the day to
be present at DIVAS OF COLOUR 2014 IN LONDON. A woman with an international and national
growing profile. strong, very outspoken leather on issue that bother on environmental sustainability,
eradication of poverty, economic empowerment of women and youth with a rear kind of sharp intelligence, political dexterity, workhorse habits and unrelenting persistence, in persuing agenda that affect humanity in Nigeria as a nation and the world.
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Senator Dr Grace Folashade Bent Graduated from the University of Calabar in 1988, worked as an assistant Producer on National Television Authority Kaduna, Then an Executive Director, Makade Advertising Agency Kaduna . Managing Director, Jack Ventures of Nigeria till date.
While in school she was a former astute financial secretary of the University of Calaber. National Treasurer of People's Democratic Alliance (PDA) Deputy National Chairman, People Liberation Party (PLP) Political adviser to the national chairman of People's Democratic Party (PDP) in person of Chief Audu Ogbeh.
our distinguished senator is a rare political activist and openly savours the tough thrust and party of political campaigning. in private she is reputed to be much warmer, friendly than her public person, she command the respect and adulation of many who have known her for decades. She is widely known as a practical "Policy Workhorse".
Senator Dr. Grace Bent is a passionate advocate for global climates and environmental changes sweeping across the earth. Women and Youth economic and political emancipation , hence her sponsoring of the bill on national climates change commission, girl child education and the eradication of poverty.
Senator Dr. Grace Bent has been honored with several awards and accolades recognizing her success on the senate Commitees in the 6th national assembly; as a Chairman, Senate commitee on environment and ecology / Member, commitee on foreign affairs / Member, commitee aviation / Member, commitee ethics, privileges and public petitions.
Erulu Fimigbaye Egba, Ogun State.
Yeye Oba Of Ekinrinade, Kogi state.
Erulu bobajiroro of Joga-Orile, Ogun State
Uduonyi of Oron , Cross River State
The Jewel of Nigeria Politics
Doctor of Public administration (DPA)
DPA Honoraris Causa Indiana Christian University, USA
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