THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
The Nigerian Senate has confirmed the appointment of Abike Dabiri-Erewa as the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian citizens in Diaspora Commission.
The letter seeking confirmation of her appointment was sent to the Senate in November 2018.
Ms Dabiri-Erewa, currently the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, has now become the first head of the Commission.
She was a member of the House of Representatives representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency in Lagos from 2003 to 2015.
While she was at the House of Representatives, Ms Dabiri-Erewa chaired the House Committee on Diaspora Affairs. She also sponsored the bill seeking the establishment of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission.
Her confirmation was made after the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, Rose Oko, presented the report of the committee.
In her presentation, the lawmaker said Ms 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, resolved to confirm Ms Dabiri-Erewa after which the Senate President, Bukola Saraki congratulated her and wished her a successful tenure.
With the confirmation of Mrs Dabiri-Erewa and the appointment of Dr. Sule Yakubu Bassi as the Executive Secretary of the Commission, the body can now be considered as fully established. The Nigerian Diaspora Commission, according to the Act establishing it, is to “Ensure the Protection of Nigerians in Diaspora, and Promote and Facilitate Their Effective Participation in Economic, Political and Social Development of the Nation and for Related Matters”.
Kola Tella with agency reports
