Betty Jocelyne Okagua - Apiafi (born 19 February 1962) is a Nigerian politician, economist, retired

banker A bank is a financial institution that accepts Deposit account, deposits from the public and creates a demand deposit while simultaneously making loans. Lending activities can be directly performed by the bank or indirectly through capital m ...

and educationist. Apiafi was elected to the

Nigerian Senate The Senate is the upper chamber of Nigeria's bicameral legislature, the National Assembly. The National Assembly (popularly referred to as NASS) is the nation's legislature and has the power to make laws, as summarized in chapter one, sectio ...

for

Rivers West Rivers West senatorial district is one of the three senatorial districts in Rivers State, Nigeria. It is currently represented by r. Mrs. Ipalibo Harry Banigo District profile The district covers the local government areas of Abua–Odual, Ahoa ...

Senatorial District in 2019. She has also served as a

House of Representatives House of Representatives is the name of legislative bodies in many countries and sub-national entities. In many countries, the House of Representatives is the lower house of a bicameral legislature, with the corresponding upper house often ...

Member for Abua/Odual-Ahoada East Federal Constituency of Rivers State since 2007. She is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Early life and education

Apiafi was born on 19 February 1962. She earned a bachelor's degree in

Economics Economics () is a behavioral science that studies the Production (economics), production, distribution (economics), distribution, and Consumption (economics), consumption of goods and services. Economics focuses on the behaviour and interac ...

from the

University of Port Harcourt The University of Port Harcourt is a public research university located in Aluu and Choba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. It was established in 1975 as University College, Port Harcourt and was given university status in 1977. The Univ ...

and a master's degree from the

Rivers State University of Science and Technology Rivers State University (RIVSU or RSU), formerly known as Rivers State University of Science and Technology (UST or RSUST), is a government-owned university located in Diobu (Mile III) area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Southern Nigeria. A ...

House of Representatives

During her tenures at the House of Representatives (2007-2019), Apiafi was a strong advocate for women affairs, education and bank sector reforms. Other women elected included Folake Olunloyo, Maimunat Adaji,

Martha Bodunrin Martha Bodunrin (born 1952) is a Nigerian politician. She was a member of the People's Democratic Party and the House of Representatives Life Bodunrin was born in 1952. She qualified as a teacher in 1971. She joined the People's Democratic ...

, Suleiman Oba Nimota, Mulikat Adeola Akande, Uche Lilian Ekunife,

Beni Lar Beni Lar born (August 12, 1967) is a politician of the People's Democratic Party from Plateau State, Nigeria. She was a member of the Nigeria House of Representatives from Langtang North, Langtang South federal Constituency of Plateau State. S ...

Lynda Chuba-Ikpeazu Lynda Chuba-Ikpeazu, also known as Lynda Chuba (born 22 June 1966), is a Nigerian politician, model and beauty pageant titleholder. She gained popularity as the first ever Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 1986.

, Mercy Almona-Isei, Doris Uboh, and Olubimi Etteh. She sponsored several bills and undertook several assignments.

Committee memberships

Apiafi chaired several committees during her tenures in the House of Representatives between the years 2007 to 2019. They include: # Chairman House Committee on Health # Deputy Chairman House Committee on Diaspora # Member House Committee on Agriculture # Member House Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission # Member

House Committee on Banking and Currency The United States House Committee on Financial Services, also referred to as the House Banking Committee and previously known as the Committee on Banking and Currency, is the committee of the United States House of Representatives that oversees ...

# Member House Committee on Electoral Matters # Member House Committee on National Security # Member House Committee on Women Affairs # Member House Committee on Women in Parliament # Member House Committee on Aviation

House assignments

In 2011, Apiafi was among a select number of Nigerian Parliamentarians to successfully amend the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria which was assented to by the then President of Nigeria which was assented to by the then President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. She was also a member of the PAN African Parliament 2007–2015, leader of Delegation House of Representatives to PAN African Parliament 2011- 2015.

Senate

Apiafi was elected to the Nigerian Senate of the 9th Assembly in 2019 under the Peoples Democratic Party. She currently represents the Rivers West Senatorial District. She is the first female member of the Nigerian House of Representative and Member of the Senate from Rivers state.

Committee memberships

# Chairman Committee on Women Affairs # Member Committee on Health # Member Committee on Legislative Compliance # Member Committee on Rules and Business # Member Committee on Petroleum (Upstream) # Member Committee on Interior # Member Committee on Environment # Member Committee on SDG # Member Committee on Banking and Other Financial Institutions # Member Committee on Ferma

References

External links

Betty Apiafi profile

Notes

{{DEFAULTSORT:Apiafi, Betty 1962 births Living people Rivers State University alumni University of Port Harcourt alumni Peoples Democratic Party members of the House of Representatives (Nigeria) Members of the House of Representatives (Nigeria) from Rivers State Educators from Rivers State Women members of the House of Representatives (Nigeria) People from Ahoada East Members of the 6th National Assembly (Nigeria) Members of the 7th National Assembly (Nigeria) Members of the 8th National Assembly (Nigeria) Senators of the 9th National Assembly (Nigeria)