Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa is an amazon. The TV personality-turned politician is currently the Chairman of House Committee on Diaspora of the Federal House of Representatives. She recently turned 50. She spoke on her journey so far in life, especially her transmutation from broadcasting to politics.
You recently turned 50, how does it feel to hit the golden jubilee?
We thank God for His many mercies. Glory be to God that one is alive to be 50. I thank God for growing in good health. I thank God for every new day. They say life begins at 50, and I absolutely agree, because with a great family, a great husband, lovely children, a wonderful job, good health… what more can you ask for?
Some people believe that at 50, if you are lucky, you have more money, less energy and no time. Is this also applicable to you?
I don’t know about more money (laughter), but I won’t say less energy. My husband keeps saying where do you get all this energy from? If you live a healthy lifestyle, you will have a lot of energy. But of course, you should not deceive yourself that you are 20 years younger. 50 years doesn’t mean you are less energetic. In fact, I’m doing my exercises more than before. Nothing really has changed. I feel happier and better at 50 than ever. I give all the glory to God. There are some things I wouldn’t do again.
I remember in those days when I was 20 years, in Lagos, there were three prominent night clubs, Faze 2, Paradizo and Fantasyland. You just hopped from one to the other in taxis – but you can’t do that now. There are some things you wouldn’t do now that you are 50 years, and there are some things you will continue to do. I have maintained the same lifestyle, the same person.
What was your childhood like?
Growing up was fun with a lovely family. I remember I came back from St. Theresa’s College Ibadan, during one of the holidays, my cousins just came in from England and were staying with us at Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja, Lagos. One of them put a frying pan on the fire, anad we started dancing to the music of Sunny Ade. We forgot the pan on the fire and it got burnt. I had to carry it with my bare hands. The scar is still there today on my right hand. I was about 13 or 14 at the time. I was rushed to the hospital and the nurses said they gave me an award as the most courageous child of the year because I had saved our house from being burnt.
I also remember a few of the pranks we played in secondary school, like jumping the fence to buy ‘Iya Akeem’s rice’. It was ‘Ofada’ rice. We were there on this particular day without being aware that the vice-principal had seen us. She waited for us to come back before calling us to give us our punishment. That was St. Theresa’s College, Ibadan. Then the good days at University of Ife, I had so much fun on campus. Driving from Ife to Lagos was also fun.
Now, from Lagos to Ibadan, you can spend 10 hours because of bad roads. We were three sisters and we used to alternate cooking. I didn’t like cooking. When it was my turn, I found a way to dodge and begged the two other girls. My younger sister would agree, but my elder sister would not agree. It was a lot of fun growing up. I also remember my days in Ikorodu. Ikorodu was home to everybody, especially during the festivities. I remember one of the times we came to Ikorodu, my sister and I were going somewhere and we saw two rams heading our way. I’m generally scared of any kind of animal, so we ran. I went in one direction and she went in the other, which was our way home. So I went missing. My parents were really worried, they looked for me, but they knew I would be okay. But you can’t say that today. I was kept in the Baale’s house who gave me food. I wasn’t worried. They asked me who my father was, and I said Ashafa instead of Erogbogbo. I was in primary school at the time. By the time they walked round every household, they knew they would find me, and they found me comfortably in the Baale’s house, playing with his children. That can’t happen today.
Are your parents still alive?
Yes, my father is 86, while my mother is 82. In fact, this year, they will mark their 60th wedding anniversary. As I turn 50, I have a sister who is equally turning 60, so it is turning out to be a three in one family celebration.
Which one of your parents inspired you the most?
Both of them. I have a father who was quite strict, and a mother who was in-between. We had the fear of our father who made it a point of duty to run whenever we saw him coming. We had sympathy from our mother. Whenever we wanted to do something terrible, we would remember the two of them and immediately do the right thing. Their combination gave us a good balance. They both taught me to be content.
Contentment is a virtue, and any person who has it, has it all. You will be surprised that you might be happier with N50, 000 in your pocket than somebody with N50 million in his pocket. My father had a great sense of humour, and he is a wonderful person to be with. My mother is a very kind woman; she taught us kindness and giving. She can sacrifice her eyes to save someone. The most important thing probably is that they brought us up with a lot of love and not a whole lot of money.
The name Abike Dabiri is a household name and has been so for some years now. From NTA days of Frank Olize’s Sunday Sunday Newsline. What has kept the brand, Abike Dabiri going strong?
I have been active right from my days at the University of Ife. Students used to chant ‘Abix Eros’ in action. We even had a live band where we entertained on campus. It was me, Magdalene and two other guys. One of them is late now. I would say it is the grace of God that has kept me going as well as some principles I cherish. Integrity should be your watchword, no matter what. Most importantly, you must have the fear of God in whatever you do.
When I wanted to go into politics, I was told that politics was dirty. If you are dirty, you play dirty. Just be who you are and don’t try to be another person. Believe in yourself, have faith in yourself and be fair to others. The greatest love of all is the love you have yourself. If you love yourself, you will love those around you. If you love those around you, you wouldn’t be destroying people. Rather, you’ll strive to make things better. May be l have been lucky.
When I was going into politics, I didn’t know what to expect. But today, I really thank Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu because he stood by me. When I wanted to contest, it was like where was she coming from? But Asiwaju said these were the kind of women we should encourage. He has encouraged women a lot. His wife too has been amazing. Of course, the people of Ikorodu too proved themselves, the elders and women in particular. When I went into politics, I started out with the women. I was attending the ward meeting for five months before I took a decision. I went to Asiwaju and he gave me tremendous support and he is doing that till today. I was also lucky that when I got to the House of Representatives, a new committee was created which was media committee. It was a place I was very comfortable in.
Do you miss your years at NTA?
Definitely. I was there for 15 years. I still miss television, it’s a part of me, and I intend to still do a few things on television as time goes on.
What will you say is the highpoint of your 50 years on earth?
There are too many of those moments to single out one. Having my children, marrying Mr. Erewa. Most of my happy memories are with my family. Winning my first, second and third elections has also been happy moments for me. I have so many of them. I have a few sad moments, but it’s nothing to dwell on.
What about when your first marriage broke up, wasn’t that your sad moment also?
No, because we didn’t just break up. It broke up over a period of time. He went abroad and never came back. It was painful, but I didn’t dwell on it. I concentrated on my children and my job.
Do you still communicate with him?
Yes. When it’s necessary, we do.
Do you miss not having a girl?
Yes, but I love my boys. I love children, and would have loved to have more, like six or seven, like my mother (laughs). But God said two. Then again, I have two more from my husband, making four, so I thank God for my boys. With them, I do not miss anything. I have lovely nieces, Tomi and Tosin. There are many girls around me. Mary, the miracle baby is still on my scholarship, she is in SS III now.
You don’t have a child for your second husband, is there a reason?
It is not a priority. We did not get married because we wanted children. We are married because we love each other and the companionship is great. We are not interested in more babies, we already have four, and we are only waiting for grandchildren. Our marriage is based on a solid relationship.
What does friendship mean to you, and when and where did your friendship with Funmi Ajila and Enitan Allen start?
Friendship means everything. For Funmi Ajila and Enitan Allen, we have been friends for over 22 years; our friendship is based on understanding and love. I have other friends too, Bimpe Ashafa, Yemisi Ibrahim, we are very close.
Being a Muslim, do you have a Muslim name?
Kafayat. I am a practising Muslim. I went to Catholic schools, but I am from a strong Muslim family. I love and practise my religion. But people make the mistake of thinking that religion should be political. It should be between you and your God. Islam is a religion of peace and bliss; it is a religion where you are one with your God. Saying your prayer five times daily becomes a part of you. My husband is a Christian, but he is not bothered. He is very supportive of it.
Would you say you have lived a full life at 50?
I said life begins at 50 and you are talking about seeing it all and living a full life? (Laughs) how is that possible? 50 is the new 40 – life began at 40 in those days, but today, life begins at 50. There is still a whole lot to do. Success is not about age or money; it is about the number of lives you have touched. I need to touch more lives and reach out to more people. Life is just beginning at 50.
AT 50, is there anything you want God to give you?
Good health, long life, prosperity, everlasting peace, abundance of provision, a whole lot of knowledge, righteousness, good character and a good name.
Talking of a good name, how much of those issues that have rubbished the House of Representatives, would you say have tarnished your good name?
Whenever there is anything wrong with the Reps, I’m part of the institution, so I feel bad about it. We all have to help build that institution; it is the weakest arm of the government. The parliament is the bastion of democracy. As time goes on, I’m sure we will appreciate the institution better.
You are in your third term in the House of Reps, are you likely to run a fourth time?
I thank God for the privilege of a third term in parliament. I still have three more years to serve. I’ll cross that bridge when I get there.
On two occasions, it has been rumoured that you are gunning for the post of the Deputy Governor of Lagos; do you have any plans in that direction?
You don’t gun for deputy governor. It is a privilege for me and an honour. I went into politics at a time when it was a risk. People were not ready to take such risks, but we did. Now everyone wants to contest, which is all good, but parliament is a place for cerebral people, you need to read a lot. We need to put our best in the parliament.
