Politics
NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2014
Leading Woman Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa is the chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Diaspora Affairs. In this interview with WALE ABIODUN, she bares her mind on various national issues, especially Nigeria at 54. Excerpts: What is your assessment of Nigeria at 54? That we are still together as a nation is enough reason to give God the glory. Our growth has been stunted, we are not where we should be as a nation because of leadership failure over the years. Nigerians must take control of our democracy, vote and let’s be united in making sure these votes matter. If an elected official knows that one vote can get him or her out of the office, then voters will never be taken for granted. What is your view on uninterrupted democracy in Nigeria since 1999? Elections not yet totally free and fair, but we must as people determine that no matter what, votes must count. However, corruption is now carried out with impunity. It looks like corruption is now an official state policy. $9.3 million is ferried to South Africa just like that and the government can look Nigerians in the eyes and admit to blatantly breaking its own laws. That is just one example.
Dabiri-Erewa
Dabiri-Erewa: Nigeria’s growth stunted at 54 elections? Very prepared. Nigerians yearn for positive change. And that, APC will give when we take over in 2015 at the federal level.
What is your impression of the economic situation in Nigeria? The Transformation Agenda is a labyrinth leading to a cul-de-sac. The only people clapping are the people who designed it. Extreme poverty is ravaging the land; unemployment is a time bomb waiting to explode. Of what relevance is a high GDP (Gross Domestic Product) with such overwhelming poverty? Having come this far in life and seen it all, what is your greatest goal? To make a difference in someone’s life. I am concerned about hunger because some kids drink water to fill their stomachs till the next meal comes. Success is not about age, it is not about character, and it is not by how much you have in your account but how many lives you touch. How did you come into politics? A leadership course at Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University was a kind of tonic that made me decide to give contesting elections a shot. The programme 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 and my family. With the support of our leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, other leaders in my party and constituency, I give God the glory. How prepared is your party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), for the 2015
What is your aspiration concerning 2015 elections? Consultation is ongoing
We are not where we should be as a nation because of leadership failure over the years
What bills have you initiated so far? I sponsored the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill which has now been signed into law in Nigeria. It is noteworthy to mention that some of the other bills I sponsored include; Nigerian Infant Welfare Scheme Bill, Nigeria with Disabilities Bill, bill to amend the Railway Act to allow private sector and state participation, 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. Who can you refer to as your political mentor? Nelson Mandela and Tinubu What is your impression of Nigerian women participation in politics? Still many challenges, but we will get there. The number of female representation in leadership positions is still low compared to other African countries. Numerous factors such as culture, women’s multiple burdens, lack of resources, unfavourable electoral system among others make it more difficult for women to seek elective posts. For instance, someone said to me, ‘Abike you have done so well. You are qualified to be the governor
of Lagos, but you are a woman.’ We are still looked down as women but we will not give up. Can you talk on various Diaspora issues your committee has handled? The Diaspora Committee has brought to the fore, the plethora of snags, problems and difficulties encountered by Nigerians in several countries. The committee is still working to get justice for Toba, Aisha Falode’s son who was murdered in Dubai, and recently the case of a 17-year-old Nigerian, Mr. Joshua Kunle Abdul-Azeez had prompt intervention in, demanding adequate compensation for the young Nigerian that was maltreated and tortured as a result of wrong routing of his ticket by Egypt Air. The committee intervened to rescue 24 Nigerians slated to be executed in Libya, made several interventions in Italy, India, China, Czech Republic, China, Saudi Arabia, Ghana, Russia, Cyprus and Malaysia among many others and even had to pay lawyers to assist some; such was 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 hospital. But the committee was able to get her put under house arrest pending the determinantion of her case rather than being in prison as is usually done in Brazil before she eventually passed on in hospital, due to high blood pressure. We have also just passed the Nigeria Diaspora Commission Bill in the House of Representatives.
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