Abike Dabiri Erewa … Golden season for ‘golden girl’ of Newsline, Lagos Politics

WHEN I got the brief to interview Honourable Abike Dabiri Erewa on her 50^th birthday, I was upbeat and surprised at the same time.

Yes, I was happy to have the opportunity to meet the elegant lady, who made television very interesting during her days as anchorperson for the popular NTA programme, Newsline, before moving to the National Assembly to represent Ikorodu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. She indeed would be an interviewer’s delight, I mused to myself.

Looking at Abike’s physique, you’ll wonder if she’s really up to that age. She is thirtyish and carries herself with lot of grace and elegance. Abike is adorable and deeply engaging as a public figure.

On our first contact on phone, Abike sounded very simple. No drama at all. At first, I thought I was speaking with one of her personal assistants; no thanks to poor network, which made the matter worse. But by the time she started fixing an appointment, I realised I was actually speaking with the mother of two; by then, her voice was clearer.

“All right, call me on Friday morning, maybe we will meet somewhere in Lekki,” she said casually with that her Newsline voice.

That’s Abike for you; simple, humble, yet very articulate. Even with her status, she remains herself; easygoing and friendly. Right from the lobby of Oriental Hotel, Lekki, where the interview was conducted, she was jovial with people, exchanging pleasantries with everyone; some she shook hands with, for others, she simply smiled and waved. In fact, a particular couple disrupted the interview, when they intruded to greet her. At first, I expected a snub or something like, ‘Can’t you see we are busy?’ But no, she spent minutes chatting with the happy couple, who were preparing for a cake baking session, which was to hold the following day at the hotel. Surprisingly, she personally offered to attend the programme; even the couple was shocked at her kindness and the way she joked and laughed with them all through.

“I have a wedding tomorrow, so, on my way, I will stop by to see the event. I like supporting young people, so, anytime I find opportunity to do so, I don’t hesitate,” she said finally.

As the couple handed her a leaflet for the programme, I got a clearer picture of the lady I was sitting face to face with; entirely different from what I had painted of her.

At 50, Abike still looks fit, elegant and pretty with those smiles that endeared her to many. However, on a closer look, the grey hair are gradually springing up; a sign of wisdom and experience.

“It’s half a century and I give glory to God for his mercies and blessings. Someone sent me a text message recently and said, ‘we've come a long way,’ and I realised that in deed, I have. So, I thank God for everything; we can't stop giving glory to God,” she said beaming with broad smiles.

Any changes at all?

“Well, everyday, you are progressing; 50 years ago, I wouldn’t know where I would be ... you really can’t tell. All you know is that at 50, you are happy and you have every reason to thank God for guiding one along the path that one has found.”

LOOKING at Abike’s background, it appears God specifically prepared her for the responsibility she’s handling now.

“As a student in St Theresa’s College, the school principal used to make me read lessons of the mass like three times a week. Maybe because she sees in me that I could read, but I didn't know she was preparing me for journalism. When I was posted to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) for my Youth Service, I didn't know God was preparing me to take up that profession.  50 years on, 15 years of journalism… to God be the glory; a great family, lovely children, brothers, sisters and good health,” she sang excitedly.

To most Nigerian women, Abike remains a major source of inspiration. To them, she is a true fighter, a woman of many abilities.

“As a woman, you are born with the ability of doing different things at a time; it's all about balancing. That's why it takes pressure to be a woman — to carry pregnancy for nine months, to be a mother, to be a wife and still have a career. Those are some of the abilities you were born with as a woman and that's why women are successful managers; it's all about balancing. There's no point being a successful woman and a bad mother.”

Though females face tough situations, Abike sees bright light at the end of the tunnel for every hardworking woman?

“I tell you, it is very challenging; sometimes you succeed, sometimes you don't. But at every point in time, you have to always adjust in whatever you are doing to ensure you get things right.”

As for coping with her role as a wife, mother and politician, the lawmaker seams to have perfected her strategy.

“You have to balance your time,” she noted. “When I’m not at work, I’m at home. It's not something you say ‘this is the strategy’; but you have to work out your time. You have a family that understands and supports you; with a husband that helps you and children who make life a bit easier. Sometimes, it's not so perfect; you tend to give more to the other. But for me, family comes first. Yes, sometimes, it could be challenging, but as a woman, you were built to handle such situation.”

To the broadcaster turned Lawmaker, women are emotionally stronger than men.

“Men are physically stronger, but emotionally, you give it to women. A lot of men can't handle some decisions we had to take and the emotional challenges that we face. I think we have to claim the strength of a woman,” she said.

In a society like ours, being a woman comes with many challenges and being a female politician adds more to that.

“The most important thing is to strike a balance; I won't tell you one has got everything right. However, you need to be realistic about everything. What's your goal? What's your vision? What are you looking for? Are you here to please yourself or the masses? You just have to do the right thing and leave the rest to God.”

Between ‘media and politics’

THOUGH she came from the media, Abike sees so many similarities between journalism and politics, especially when it comes to the business of lawmaking.

“They are similar, especially the type of journalism I did with the NTA, which is basically dealing with social issues and looking for solutions tothem; that's politics also. However, in politics, it is on a larger scale. But it is the same thing with the kind of journalism I practiced, you are dealing with the yearnings of the people. The difference is that, while you are elected to be in the parliament, as a journalist you chose to do the job. For me, it’s about serving humanity.”

For Abike, moving from the media to the National Assembly is like treading on a familiar ground.

“It's just that you are dealing with a larger number of people. Nothing has changed in my person and character; I’m still myself. However, sometimes, you are under pressure, but thank God for the strong supportive family that is there for me. A whole lot of hypocrisy in the system; someone said something to you, by the next minute; he's saying something different. That is what they say is politics, but I don't think that’s the way it should be. If you are dirty, you play dirty. In terms of who I am, nothing really has changed. After the hard day’s work, I still play with my family and the pressure is not on me.”

Leadership and responsibility

Attaining a greater height in every career in the society comes with responsibilities and sometimes pressure from members of the public that see you as a ‘messiah.’

How does Abike cope with the situation?

“It's a privilege and honour for people to see you that way. But all I can say is, ‘just do what you can do.’ For instance, there was a case I solved recently and it was like magic; the lady just can't get over it. But I didn't do anything extraordinary; I just asked the right questions, spoke to the right people and the whole thing was solved. This was a case that had been on for a very long time. My philosophy of life is, if you can make a difference in the life of one person, you have achieved something.”

For the lawmaker, money is not everything.

“Sometimes, for some people, it is just a shoulder to cry on; it's just a kind and comforting word. It is not about money, money… it's just to show concern. Somehow, I feel my journalistic background has helped in that directions. If you are used to people bringing their problems to you and getting them solved, it's the same thing in politics,” she said.

However, those who have had some relationship with Abike Dabiri will testify that the Ikorodu-born politician loves giving to charity; her passion for the less privileged actually started during her days at the NTA.

“I've always done that, but now on a larger scale. When I was at the NTA, I had about 10 children I was taking care of and paying their fees. Sometimes, you find out that it’s not really a lot of money; it's about doing what you have to do. Most of them were cases we handled on television and after that, I went back to see what's happening to them. In fact, there was a case of a girl, who was raped by two men in one apartment. I took the child away from that environment and helped them get another apartment to stay. I took the child to another school and paid her fees all the way through. Right now, she's an undergraduate.”

She continued: “There was a case of another guy we treated on television; he needed N60, 000 to add to what he had to go to the US and I provided that money. Today, he's doing so well in the US and about to get married. He's always reminding me about what I did for him, which I don't even remember. But now in politics, it's on a larger scale; I have over 40 people under my care. It’s about having the passion to do what you want to do.”

Does that mean you have a foundation that caters for them?

“Yes, I have a foundation and I get support from friends. But basically, even this 40, it's something I can afford to do; it's not like I’m sending you abroad. I have a set of triplets that came for my coaching scheme; they just came for the fun of it because they knew they were not going to have secondary education. But at the end, they came first, second and third. I wanted to give ten scholarships, but we gave them the first three slots. Today, only one is yet to get into the university,” she revealed.

Though she now spends more time in the green chambers, Abike still has flair for journalism; it runs in her blood.

Abike and Media for Life

“It's on the card, so don’t be shocked if you see Abike Dabiri Show sometime in future. I look forward to doing something like that later,” she enthused.

In her 15 years of broadcasting and about 10 years as a parliamentarian, Abike could be said to have achieved tremendous success. Surprisingly, her childhood career had nothing to do with both careers; she had wanted to become a singer.

“I never thought of journalism; I was thinking I would somehow be on the stage, entertaining the world. But I never had the voice to do that,” she said, reeling with laughter. “But I appreciate good music. Like I said earlier, in St. Theresa’s College, our principal, Sister Agnes, used to make me read lessons of the mass. She sort of sees something in me that made her call me every time, even as a Muslim; I’m still a Muslim.

“I got admission to read political science at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), but I was told I wasn't qualified to do the course because I had P7 in mathematics. So, I changed to English.”

After her course in English, young Abike was posted to the NAN, Benin station, for her National Youth Service, where her passion for the pen profession was nurtured.

“When I got there, I didn't say ‘I’m a youth corper; I was eager to learn. I used to follow them to the field, I used to write stories for them and they would correct them. I kept working with them all the time.”

Someday, duty called, but there was no staff to attend to the assignment… “it fell on me and I went for the assignment and the story was used all over the places; that excited me. After that, I got a job with Bendel Television, Benin. But After one year, I headed for the University of Lagos for my Master’s in Mass Communication. At the end of the programme, I got a job with NTA. I keep telling the younger ones, whatever you do, put in your best; you never can tell where it's taking you.”

‘Eat well, Dress well, Relax well’

WHAT are the secretes of your healthy living?

“Just eat well, live healthy; exercise and be happy. As you grow older, you need to watch what you eat; you live a healthy lifestyle. We women, we spend more time taking care of others; we never have time for ourselves. But I usually create time to take care of myself; do my facials, spa and massage. You must find time for yourself and I have a wonderful family. Once I have my tea, I’m fine.”

When it comes to fashion, Abike likes it simple and elegant.

“I wear Nigerian outfits a lot; they are made by my friend, Regallia Fashion. I wear what fits my figure; I wear what I like, not what is in vogue.”

What would you consider your best outfit?

“I have several, but it depends on the mood and the occasion. When I go into a shop, I don’t look at the prices; I look for things that I like and what fits me. I love my shoes and bags,” she quipped.

What’s the most expensive fashion item you’ve ever bought?

“Ah, it has to be jewelry; it has to be diamond.”

And perfume?

“I mix and match, but I like male cologne. There's this one that my children bought for me; they know I like it. But I like male colognes generally.”

Why?

“I think it gives you a sort of strength; I keep finishing my husband’s cologne,” she revealed, bursting into another round of laughter. “When you want to give me a gift, give me men's cologne.”

What’s your best food?

“I like beans and dodo (fried plantains). I love fish as well.”

How do you relax?

“For me, home is relaxation; I don't have to travel the world to relax. So, I make my home very comfortable; it’s just about being happy in your home. When I travel for work, I never had time to relax. So, home is it for me.”

‘Women in Politics’

What’s your opinion of women in politics?

“It's still male dominated; appointive positions are better than elective positions. In fact, a lot of women couldn't make it back to the House. But if you have it in you, just take the risk.”

Sometimes, I wonder how Abike got into politics?

“I went to Harvard University for a course in leadership and not knowing again why I was doing all that. For you to go for the training someone credible has to nominate you; Rev. Father Kukah nominated me. I was still presenting Newsline then; I was the only Journalist at the course, with Prime Ministers and other distinguished guests.”

Returning home, there was a bit of hostile work environment within the NTA, so Abike had time to venture into other things.

“One thing led to another… I remember meeting with people like Dele Alake and few others, who encouraged me to give politics a shot. So, one day, I woke up, went to my constituency and started asking questions. Four months later, I went to Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was the governor then and leader of our party, ACN, and told him about my intentions. He said to me, 'we need women like you in politics; I will support you.' That was how it started,” she recalled.

What was the feeling when the results started coming in?

“You know I took a big risk leaving certainty for uncertainty; I had a good job then, a glamorous one for that. Number one was winning your primaries; it was very challenging. There was anxiety and by the time the result for the main election was coming, it was obvious I was going to win. Thank God for being in the right party, so, when the result was finally announced, it was like a new dawn.  Next year is going to be my 10^th year in the parliament. I thank the leader of my party, Bola Tinubu and my people in Ikorodu for having the trust in me.”

Any plans to contest for the seat again?

“I thank God for the privilege of a third term, so far, in the parliament. I have three more years to serve; we will cross the bridge as we get there.”

Though she spends more time in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) rubbing shoulders with the high and mighty in Nigerian politics, Abike still finds time to meet with ordinary people on the street.

“If it's in you, it is in you; relating with people is in my nature. Sometimes, it's just to laugh and smile and you never can tell what you learn from such contacts, especially the children; you learn a lot hanging around with kids. For my 50th birthday, I’m going to have a party with children on October 20. My birthday is on the 11th, I intend to do something for my constituency, but I will do the main party in December,” she assured.

As a former staff of the NTA, what’s you opinion about the organisation today?

“There are many challenges at the NTA; I don't want to go into that now. I appreciate the professionals there; they deserve better pay. NTA staff don’t work nine to five; they do a lot of work, but they are paid like normal civil servants. I don’t think it’s right. We are trying to do something about it, but we are having some challenges right now. But it's something that has to change. NTA should not be in the civil service structure and they need more pay than they are getting right now. We are still one family and I’m still very much in touch with my colleagues there.”

If given the opportunity to change something about Nigerians, Abike would go for attitudinal change.

“Our attitude needs to change; our moral values are not right. We worship power and money; someone is obviously not doing well, but you are hailing him because he has power and money. If I have my way, I would make sure women rule the world. We are not saying give it to us on a platter of gold, but don't say I can’t do it because I’m a woman. If you know I have what it takes, don't put a barrier because I’m a woman,” she concluded.