Dabiri-Erewa, Legend of Broadcasting and Politics Honours Lisa Leslie, Chiney Ogwumike
Few things are as exciting as watching one legend meet another. The Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa met with two such legends of women’s basketball, Lisa Leslie and Chinenye ‘Chiney’ Ogwumike in Abuja recently. The meeting was charged but saw how one legend of broadcasting and politics embraced her fellows in the realm of sports.
There is no arguing the charm of DabiriErewa. After all these years, the woman remains at the top of her game, not shining with less brilliance now than she did some 10 or 15 years ago. Because she has not lost the ‘it’ of broadcasting and politics, she was able to stand her ground as she hosted legends of women’s basketball, Leslie and Ogwumike.
During the meeting, Dabiri-Erewa praised the accomplishments of Leslie and Ogwumike, describing their presence in the global sports scene as an assurance of Nigeria’s progress. The NiDCOM boss stated that the basketball legends have strategically repositioned Nigeria in their representation, demonstrating the nation’s potential to reach the top through sports.
Additionally, Dabiri-Erewa also noted to Leslie and Ogwumike that they were not only serving themselves and Nigeria but also inspiring younger women to put in the work. Given their commitment, these younger women may also be able to move themselves, use the resources provided by the nation for natural talents, and improve for the betterment of their communities and country.
Without a question, Dabiri-Erewa’s words to Leslie and Ogwumike bear more truth than tribute. As she intimated, having more selfdriven women will push Nigeria onto the shoulders of unlimited progress. It will make this nation greater than the heroes past ever imagined.
But Nigeria does not only require brilliant sportswomen like Leslie and Ogwumike. Masters of broadcasting and politics like DabiriErewa are also needed to get Nigeria into the position of dreams, where representatives outside the shores of the nation are recognized as legends and agents of positive change.