Newly elected President of Nigerians In Diaspora Organisation (NIDO), New York chapter, Bamidele ‘Bobby’ Digi Olisa, has asked Nigerians living in diaspora to not give up on Nigeria.
He said this at a press engagement which took place at Avantgarde Tours office in Gbagada, Lagos during a visit to Nigeria. NIDO is the single representative body recognised by the Federal Government as an umbrella body for Nigerian citizens in diaspora. Formed in 2000 with a vision to harness the tremendous skill, exposure, expertise and knowledge base of Nigerians resident outside Nigeria to promote socio-economic and infrastructure development back in Nigeria, NIDO has over the years attempted to correct the narrative of a hopeless Nigeria.
Honourable Bobby, as he is fondly addressed, having been elected in July 2019 visited Nigeria to bring to fruition NIDO New York’s plans to support development and the advancement of Nigeria with a special focus on youth empowerment through education and job development.
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Digi Olisa says it is imperative that Nigeria, a richly blessed nation, makes creating employment opportunities a matter of national priority. With a track record of engaging in results-oriented initiatives, Digi Olisa at the helm of affairs of NIDO New York is perhaps the new drive that the organisation needs.
In 2017, Digi Olisa was inspired to create a not-for-profit organisation) called Island Voice Inc., which hosts the annual Youth Empowerment Summit. The summit has since grown to become one of the most well attended events in New York City and has provided mentorship to 6000 youths in over 10 years. He further used the organisation to advocate for women’s rights, especially for the return of Nigerian girls kidnapped by Boko Haram. Digi Olisa also helped co-found the BringBackOurGirls New York chapter which was instrumental in publicity campaigns in the United States.
While speaking, Brooklyn born Digi Olisa further shared that many of the best experiences he had been in Nigeria, especially in Kaduna where he schooled.
He said, “The disconnect of Nigerians in diaspora is that oftentimes, we don’t know where to start from. I for one can tell you that I have probably invested over two million dollars in Nigeria and I have easily lost over a million dollars over different issues. At the end of the day, you wind up with nothing. Those stories have kept many Nigerians from even wanting to come back.
“I am not saying Nigerians in Diaspora shouldn’t be mindful or careful; I say ‘don’t give up on Nigeria. Don’t let those narratives keep you from wanting to support or believe in those who are here fighting to lift up this country, because I believe in those people.
“In my leadership as the newly elected NIDO, New York president, my goal is to come here and see what people are doing, find out how we can partner and create a synergy to lift what is being done. It is beneficial to Nigerians living in America. There is a narrative that we are also fighting. I am very proud to be a Nigerian, but oftentimes, folks overseas would tell me about the 419s and the hackers, and you would hear these from Europeans, Russians and the different communities who also have bad habits within their communities. Every nation you go to in the world, there’s good and bad; so you can’t just tell the bad and leave out the good.
“So, my presence here is to introduce myself in my new role and to extend my hand in genuine and brotherly fashion to say Nigerians in Diaspora want to come back and see what we can offer.”
He further revealed that his office had been working very closely with Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission. Digi Olisa equally stated that the organisation is excited to work with the Nigeria Travel Week which they are looking to scale up to become Africa Travel Week in 2020.
In attendance at the event besides Digi Olisa, was Efetobo Awhana, CEO Avantgarde Tours, organisers of Nigeria Travel Week and Nigeria Tourism Awards; Femi Lawson, CEO Skyview Communications; and Jamaican-American actress, Reese Antoinette.