Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chair/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), extends her congratulations to Olusimbo Ige, a Nigerian, for her appointment as the Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health. This historic achievement marks Ige as the first black female to hold such a significant position.
In an official statement released by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Head of Media and Public Relations and Protocols Unit at NIDCOM, Dabiri-Erewa expresses delight over Ige’s remarkable milestone, stating, “History has been made! Congratulations to the first Black Woman in the history of the Chicago Department of Public Health to be appointed as Commissioner.”
Dabiri-Erewa underscores that Ige’s accomplishment highlights the positive contributions that Nigerians in the Diaspora are making globally. She encourages Ige to serve as an inspiration for other young Nigerian professionals, urging them to excel in their respective careers and become ambassadors for Nigeria.
Olusimbo Ige’s appointment follows the approval of Mayor Brandon Johnson, who appointed her after the dismissal of Dr. Allison Arwady, the former Commissioner at the Chicago Department of Public Health in the United States.
Expressing confidence in Ige’s capabilities, Mayor Brandon Johnson remarks, “Ige is a tremendous addition not only to our administration but also to the City of Chicago.” Before assuming this role, Ige served as the managing director of programs at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, a non-profit public health organization based in New Jersey.
