President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Abike Dabiri-Erewa as Senior Special Assistant on Foreign and Diapora Affairs.
Dabiri-Erewa, a former member of the House of Representatives from Lagos, received her appointment letter at the State House in Abuja few minutes ago.
She was born in Jos, Plateau State and a former member of the Nigeria Federal House of Representatives representing Ikorodu Constituency in Lagos State.
She was the Chairman of the House Committee on Media & Publicity. She was also the former Chair of the House Committee on Diaspora Affairs.
She was elected for the first time in 2003, and re-elected in 2007 and 2011.
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.
Dabiri-Erewa sponsored a number of significant bills that were passed by Parliament, including:
1. The Freedom of Information Bill
2. A bill for an act to ensure full integration of Nigerians with physical disabilities and eliminate all forms of discrimination against them.
3. The Nigerian Infant Health Welfare Bill (ensuring every child under five receives free medical care)
4. Nigerian Diaspora Commission Bill
5. A bill to repeal Nigerian Press Council Bill and replace it with the Nigerian Press and Journalism Council Bill (strengthening the NPC and promote responsible journalism and protect the welfare of journalists in Nigeria).
The appointment takes immediate effect.