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Tag: Abike Dabiri

  • NIDCOM Boss Abike Dabiri berated for offering apologies on behalf of Kwam1

    NIDCOM Boss Abike Dabiri berated for offering apologies on behalf of Kwam1

    The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has come under criticism for pleading on behalf of veteran Nigerian Fuji singer, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM1, following his recent misconduct at  Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.

    TheNewsGuru reports that an airport altercation, captured in a video that went viral on Wednesday, involved KWAM1 attempting to obstruct the plane’s takeoff.

    The incident drew widespread public backlash, with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) issuing a six-month flying ban on KWAM1.

    The Fuji icon, in reaction, tendered his unreserved apology to the Presidency, the Aviation Ministry, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), as well as Value Jet.

    Reacting to the apology, Dabiri-Erewa via her X.com page pleaded with the public to forgive the Fuji singer, saying ‘’Kwam1’s apology on the airport incident. To err is human’’.

    The government’s official statement did not sit well with Nigerians who called her out for offering apologies on behalf of a private citizen.

    One user who condemned Erewa’s remark outright noted that Government officials should never be seen offering public apologies on behalf of private citizens. “This was why your Nigeria Airways collapsed. It is why your systems don’t work. The law must be applied equally, there must be no sacred cows. We are playing favourites now?”

    Another user commented, “Just imagine if that behaviour was done by one Mr Okeke from the South east.. will she say this same thing.. we are not ready yet in this country.”

    One user commented: “Abike thunder fire you and that your to err is human. Ezi.”

    One user posted: “Imagine if Kwam 1 is Peter Obi’s supporter, they’d make sure he faces serious charges, ndi uchu.”

    One user: “The anyhowness that happens in this country is alarming.”

  • Senate confirms reappointment of Abike Dabiri as NiDCOM boss

    Senate confirms reappointment of Abike Dabiri as NiDCOM boss

    The Senate has confirmed President Muhammadu Buhari’s nomination of Abike Dabiri-Erewa for reappointment as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM.

    The confirmation of the appointment during plenary on Tuesday was sequel to the consideration and adoption of a report of the Committee on Diaspora and NGOs, chaired by Senator Michael Nnachi (PDP Ebonyi).

    Senator Nnachi, while presenting the report, said the nominee possesses the technical and academic qualifications to function optimally and effectively in the position.

    According to him, there was no petition against the nominee, adding that she was the one who sponsored the bill for the establishment of NiDCOM when she was a member of the House of Representatives.

    He commended President Buhari for the re-appointment given the steering performance of the nominee during her first term in office.

    Similarly, the Senate confirmed the appointment of the President’s three nominees’ for appointment as board members of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.

    Their confirmation followed the presentation, consideration and adoption of a report of the committee on NDDC, chaired by Senator Amos Bulus.

    The confirmed nominees were Benard Oboatarihieyeren Okwmagba from Delta, Patric Aisowieren (Edo) and Kyrian Chidiebere Uchegbu (Imo).

    The Red Chamber also confirmed the nomination of Mrs Funke Opeke for appointment as a member of Universal Service Provision (USP) Board after the presentation , consideration of the report of the Committee on Communications.

  • Buhari re-appoints Dabiri Erewa as NIDCOM boss

    Buhari re-appoints Dabiri Erewa as NIDCOM boss

    President Muhammadu Buhari has urged the Senate to confirm the re-appointment of Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa as Chief Executive Officer of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM).

    Buhari’s request is contained in a letter addressed to President of Senate, Ahmed Lawan and read at plenary on Tuesday.

    Buhari in the letter said the nomination for the appointment was in accordance with provision of section 2 sub section 2 of NIDCOM Establishment Act 2017.

    Similarly, Buhari in another letter addressed to President of Senate, sought confirmation of six nominees for appointment as Federal Commissioners for Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission.

    Buhari said the request was in accordance with provision of section 154 sub section 1 of the 1999 of constitution.

    The nominees are to fill existing vacancies of some states.

    The nominees includes, Sen. Ayogu Eze (Enugu) , Peter Opara (Imo), Hawa Umaru Aliyu (Jigawa).

    Others are Rekiya Haruna (Kebbi), Ismaila Mohammed Agaka (Kwara) and Kolawole Daniel Abimbola (

  • Sudan: First set of Nigeria evacuees to arrive today

    Sudan: First set of Nigeria evacuees to arrive today

    The first batch of stranded Nigerians in Sudan have been evacuated by the Federal Government and are expected to arrive in Abuja today.

    This is according to a statement issued by Mr. Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) on Thursday.

    The information was given at a State House briefing by Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman, NiDCOM.

    Dabiri-Erewa said a total of 13 out of the 40 buses hired to transport Nigerians from Sudan already left since Wednesday and moved by road to the border town of Aswan in Egypt.

    Members of staff of the embassy in Egypt and the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA), Mr Mustapha Habeeb-Muhammed received the evacuees.

    She said 10 of those buses transported Nigerians from Universities in Khartoum while the remaining three buses were dispatched to El- Razi University to convey them to the town in Egypt.

    On allegations of segregation and discrimination in the evacuation process, she explained that children and women were given priority as they were profiled for administrative purposes.

    The NiDCOM boss said a Boeing 777 from Airpeace would depart Lagos by evening of Thursday and would transport the first batch home on Friday.

    She also assured all Nigerians that all those who registered to be evacuated home would be facilitated irrespective of status, gender, and state.

    Dabiri-Erewa clarified that besides the huge population of Nigeria students in Sudan, there were millions of other Nigerians in the country doing their legitimate business and residing there peacefully.

    She allayed the fears of being attacked by the warlords, saying the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, already secured the understanding of the two warlords before the transportation of Nigerians by road.

  • Abike slams Baba Ijesha over assault case, says ‘maximum sentence be passed on him’

    Abike slams Baba Ijesha over assault case, says ‘maximum sentence be passed on him’

    Abike Dabiri, the chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), has criticised Baba Ijesha, the Yoruba actor who self-confessed to molesting a 14-year-old girl.

    TheNewsGuru reports that there have been mixed reactions on social media over the controversial issue.

    In a tweet on Thursday, Dabiri dismissed Baba Ijesha’s appeal for mercy as depicted in a now-viral video where he confessed to the crime.

    She also pointed out that the case would earn him no less than 14 years imprisonment.

     

    “So despicable! The act by Yoruba actor, Baba Ijesha, who defied a girl, at 7 years and later at 14 years! Who knows how many the pedophile could have damaged if he wasn’t caught,” Dabiri wrote.

    “I sponsored the violence against person’s law. The penalty is nothing less than 14 years in prison. His plea begging on some video I watched should not be acceptable.

    “We should all do all we can to support the girl’s foster mother, Princess, to ensure this case goes to court and fully tried, and maximum sentence passed on him.”

    TheNewsGuru recalls that Iyabo Ojo and Comedian Princess, the victim’s foster mother, had earlier protested the alleged plan to release Baba Ijesha from police custody on Friday.

    In his confession, the suspect had said: “Please, I don’t really know what happened to me but I’m begging you. What’s is happening to me is more than being drunk. Please forgive me. I’m sorry, I won’t do it again.”

     

  • We are are making efforts to get Omah Lay, Tems free – Abike-Dabiri

    We are are making efforts to get Omah Lay, Tems free – Abike-Dabiri

    Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission says the Nigerian mission in Uganda is doing everything in its power to get fast-rising singers Omah Lay and Tems, free after they were arrested and arraigned in court by the Ugandan authorities for violating COVID19 protocols.

    She said the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama has been informed of the development.

    Reacting via her Twitter handle yesterday, Dabiri-Erewa wrote:

    ”#FreeOmahLay #FreeTems . The Nigerian mission in Uganda is doing everything to get them freed. Minister @GeoffreyOnyeama

    has also been on the matter. @nidcom_gov is also in touch with their Lawyers.”

  • Pantami, Abike-Dabiri Saga: Again, NCC absolves Minister of involvement in office space allocation process

    Pantami, Abike-Dabiri Saga: Again, NCC absolves Minister of involvement in office space allocation process

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has, again, clarified that the Hon. Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, was never involved in the process of offer of office allocation to the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) at the NCC’s Communications and Digital Economy Complex located at Mbora District, Abuja, as the public is being made to believe.

    The Commission reiterated this position in a press statement signed by its Director Public Affairs, Dr. Henry Nkemadu, in which it made further clarifications to the members of public and other stakeholders on the situation.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, was never involved in the offer to the office space, nor in the withdrawal of the offer for same office space. The Minister should not, therefore, be brought into the issue,” he said.

    According to Dr. Nkemadu, the decision to withdraw the offer of office space from NiDCOM was purely of the NCC, the custodian of the office complex.

    “It should, however, be made abundantly clear that the withdrawal of the offer of the office space, which was unconditionally given, in the first instance, to NiDCOM, was informed by exigencies and change in priorities within the NCC, which led to the taking back of the office space earlier allocated with intention of finding a suitable replacement for NiDCOM,” he said.

    The Commission, therefore, reiterates its confidence in the leadership, person and office of the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami.

  • Abike Dabiri blasts Pantami: Your disrespect for women legendary [Video]

    Abike Dabiri blasts Pantami: Your disrespect for women legendary [Video]

    The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has responded to the claims of the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, over the usage of gunmen to chase staff of NIDCOM out of the office given to them by the Nigeria Communication Commission.

    Pantami had claimed that Dabiri-Erewa lied over the allegation.

    But the NIDCOM boss, through her verified Twitter handle, said the Minister’s disrespect for the women is legendary.

    She said also that an Islamic scholar like Pantami should not tell lies.

    She tweeted: “An Islamic scholar should not lie Hon Minister.

    “You did that to me cos I am a woman.

    “Your disrespect for women is legendary.

    “Left the ugly incident behind me since February.

    “But pls release all our office equipment.

    “Public office is transient Dr. Pantami.”

  • Dabiri-Erewa condemns destruction of vehicles at Nigerian embassy

    Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman, Nigerians In the Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), has condemned the attitude of a 32-year old Nigerian, Jeffrey Apkovweta Ewohime who allegedly destroyed properties of the Nigerian embassy in London.

    Dabiri-Erewa, in a statement by her media aide, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said such an attitude was unpatriotic and an act of indiscipline.

    The NIDCOM boss said she received a report that Ewohime went to the Nigeria Embassy in London on Monday

    ”He had approached the embassy to collect his passport which expired since November 2017 at about 2 p.m. and was told collection of passports would close at 1 p.m.

    ”He then insisted on collecting his passport , and was told to bring his collection slip which he could not produce,” she said.

    According to reports from the Embassy, it would of course be wrong to hand over his passport to him without his collection slip.

    She said that Emohime thereafter left, agitated and returned from a nearby hotel to destroy about seven cars, five belonging to the mission, and two to visitors who parked near by.

    ”His attempt to destroy the High Commissioner’s car failed as it is a bullet proof.

    “I am told that he had been arrested by the police.

    ”He destroyed seven brand new cars , except the Ambassador’s car which is bullet proof. “

    This is a despicable act, which must be condemned by all. Of course, the law must take its course ,” she said.

    Dabiri-Erewa implored Nigerians abroad to exercise restraint and be good ambassadors of Nigeria at all times in all circumstances

  • 116 Nigerians trapped in Libya slave camps to be repatriated soon, says Dabiri-Erewa

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, says that 116 of the Nigerian migrants trapped in Libya slave camps would be repatriated home soon.

    Dabiri-Erewa said this in a statement by her media aide, Abdur-Rahman Balogun on Sunday in Abuja.

    She said that the Federal Government and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) have located the detention camps of the Nigerians, and offered to bring those willing back home.

    The Nigeria Mission in Tripoli, she said, had traced the migrants to Osama Detention Centre, Zawiya , Libya.

    According to her, 116 Nigerian migrants have been processed online by the Nigeria Mission and IOM for repatriation back to Nigeria.

    However, 24 of them insisted they must get to Europe.

    She said that Federal Government moved to rescue the detained migrants after their plea for assistance through video clip from Libya on July 8.

    In the video, the stranded Nigerians who veiled their faces, said that their final destination is Europe but was intercepted by the security agencies in Libya and locked up in dehumanising conditions.

    The migrants had in the video said they were being tortured to death daily under a dehumanising condition.

    ” We are dying here. Come and rescue us. Europe is our final destination but we are trapped in Libya subjecting us to inhuman treatment”, one of the Nigerians said in the video.

    Dabiri-Erewa said that 9,438 Nigerian migrants had so far been repatriated by the Federal Government and the IOM.

    She gave assurance that President Muhammadu Buhari would continue to ensure that all stranded migrants willing to return home are brought back.

    President Muhammadu Buhari early this year directed immediate evacuation of Nigerians from Libya.

    According to her, those that have been brought back are being profiled and enrolled in various technical and vocational training centres with relevant agencies and NGOs.

    She appealed to Nigerian youths to avail themselves the opportunities in the country as against risking their lives to search for a non-existing and deadly greener pastures abroad.