Wednesday’s Global Nomad: Kayode Ogundamisi

Nigerian born Kayode Ogundamisi is a liberal thinking journalist, blogger, campaigner, passionate activist, and a proud father. Presently he is the Convener of The Nigeria Liberty Forum (www.nigerialibertyforum.org.uk); a UK based Nigerian pro democracy group of sympathizers and volunteers who share a passion for grassroots political engagement and participation. Splitting his time between his birth country and his home in London, UK, Kayode has taken his undergraduate background in Political Science, and his two master degrees, respectively in Public Administration and International Relations, and has put them to good use.

Why are you a global nomad?

My grandfather’s shed used to be my world until I took a peek out and realized the world is made up of many sheds, spreading from north to south, east to west and the moment I took that decision to leave my comfort zone, peeping out of the window confirmed my childhood suspicion that we live in a world made up of Nomads, and being part of that world I cannot but be one in life’s journey.

What made you start this venture? Why are you doing this?

Historical reality and prevalent injustice in my home country and my environment drew me to campaigns and activism. It all started at the age of 14 when I accidentally found myself involved in mobilising market women in my little town of Agege against a local government official. Since the start of that journey, it has taken me through being a student activist, campaigning to protect civil liberties, to environmental rights, then becoming a self determination activist and indeed any struggle that strikes a chord which I notice always seems to have a recurring theme of being a voice for the voiceless.

These days, as I increase in age, I spend much of my time blogging and also running issue targeted campaigns of the NLF. I do this with the hope that the action of the NLF will inspire one person and that one person will inspire another with a ripple-like effect such that change will become inevitable.

The Nigeria Liberty Forum was established to Network with pro-democracy groups in Nigeria towards a better Nigeria, advocating for good governance, accountability and the enthronement of democracy in Nigeria; Engaging in peaceful public protests against corrupt Nigerian practices; lobbying the UK parliament on issues affecting Nigerians and about Africa; Seeking solutions to challenges with other UK based African groups and institutions; Protecting the rights of Nigerians in the UK and the Diaspora; Encouraging Nigerians in Diaspora to engage and participate in the Nigerian political process  and partnership work with individuals and groups in the fields of Education, Charitable causes and Community Development.

What do you hope to achieve?

To create opportunities for the powerless and oppressed to take their destinies into their own hands and hold those in positions of trust and power to account, and jogging the memory the people that power ultimately belongs to them (the people). Also the personal satisfaction in going to bed at night knowing I am not one of the many who keep quiet in the face of oppression, and that if that should be my last sleep in the world, I would go filling satisfied that I tried and did played my part on the side of good over evil.

How long have you been working on this?

The NLF as an idea and platform is over 3 years old.

What is the most interesting discovery you have made since starting this
project?

That the beginning of every struggle is met with cynicism from even those who are meant to be beneficiaries of liberation, but with determination and unyielding commitment to the principle of equity, social justice and liberty, even the most critical foe becomes a supporter of the cause - it only takes superior argument and exemplary commitment to get people on the side of doing what is right, especially when genuine activism does not come with pecuniary gains.

Where do you see this project in 10 years?

I am hoping in 10 years, newly emerging leaders, and the younger generation would become the vehicle of change. One of the immediate goals is being able to get the NLF grounded in Nigeria, run by Nigerians, based in Nigeria. Thankfully, the seed is in the ground now, all it should take is some nurturing so that in 10 years it becomes one out of the many independent voices for the oppressed.

When did you start traveling?

My first inter regional travel was in Nigeria in the 80’s. I left my traditional liberal South-West Lagos, Nigeriato go and study, first in a town over 1,000km away called Nassarawa, and then Jos in the middle belt of Nigeria.

I officially started traveling internationally in 1999.

How and why did you travel for the first time?

Locally by rail taking me 3 days and 3 nights, i.e. within Nigeria, it was in pursuit of further education. I first ventured out of Nigeria in 1999 to Holland to attend a climate change summit representing Nigeria’s foremost pro – environment group - Environmental Rights Action (Friends of the Earth-Nigeria) at the climate change conference in Den Hagg-Nietheland as a guest of the Hollandbased group X-Y. Since then I have not stopped the adventure of knowing new places, first as a self-determination activist, building alliances across the globe, studying new cultures and exploring global capabilities. It’s taken me to Benin Republic, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania in Africa, Holland, Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, Slovenia, Czech Republic in Europe and Russia. I have also explored Canada, North America and Surinam.

In what places have you lived and what languages do you speak?

I have lived in Lagos, Jos and Enugu in Nigeria, Hanover, Düsseldorf, Monchengladbach, Wuppertal in Germany and London England. I speak Yoruba, English, and Passable Dutch.

What’s your favorite city so far?

Lagos in South West Nigeria. Life moves (in my eyes) 1 million times faster than any part of the world. The moment from when you are born to when you say goodbye to the universe are in microseconds and filled with adventure and unpredictability. I should quickly add that Jos in Nigeria and the city of Hannover in Germany come a close second and third respectively.

If you could only take one item with you to travel the world (other than
your passport), what would it be?

NIGERIAN food!

Give us your global nomad profile:

window or aisle? Window. (That way I avoid chatty seat mates and pretend I am admiring nature)

boat or plane? Plane.  (Why waste time when you can get to your destination quicker?)

train or bus? Bus. (I seem to get more amused in a bus!)

walk or bike? Walk. ( I trust my legs better during an emergency than metals)

metro or trolley? Metro.

tropical, temperate, polar? Temperate.

hotel, hostel or locals apartment? Hotel. (I like to indulge once a while)

must have fashion piece when traveling? JEANSSSSSSSS!

explore/map or tour guide? Explore without the map.

Global Nomad Nigeria London
Wednesday’s Global Nomad: Qudus Onikeku

Originally from Lagos, Nigeria and now residing in Paris, France, Qudus Onikeku is a Dancer, Acrobat, Choreographer, avid Blogger, first time documentary film maker and some would say, a Cultural Activist.

Why are you a global nomad?

For we are in the age of global tribe, that’s the only way to be an active part of the future and able to tame the panther from whatever stand point. N.E.W is the future (Nomadism. Exile and Worldliness) Exile being a permanent state of being, rather than a condition.

What made you start this venture? Why are you doing this?

Questions, seeking for answers and because I know that I will never get the answers I seek, it leaves me endlessly stupid, endlessly poor. The will to endlessly get out of my stupidity and poverty is what leads to my many projects. Man’s journey can not be predetermined by his parents or his wishes, series of overlapping events and coincidence is what becomes our destiny, it’s not a human calculation. I’m naturally curious, adventurous, with a genuine love for the world and a strong compassion for its inhabitants.

What do you hope to achieve?

I am a glutton for a world of peace, for a world where what drives men is not opportunism and greed,  a world where people of power and authority don’t despise us and enslave us, regiment our lives, tells us what to think and what to feel! Stop to drill us - diet us - treat us like cattle, use us as cannon fodder. Turn us to unnatural men - But teaches us the love of humanity and strive to build an empathic civilization.


How long have you been working on this?

This kind of project is a project of the heart, and since i realized that I have a tender heart for such subject matter, even before I realized my talent as an artiste I have been working on this.

What is the most interesting discovery you have made since starting this project?

For me that will be the initiation of my non-conventional space dance project that I titled “Do we need cola cola to dance?” It brought me to the realization of the powerful connection between artists of all kinds and human rights. Artist and activist sometimes stand up against the establishment to say what needs to be said in the name of humanity. The need to break bounds and refusal to hegemony brought about this project. This artwork communicates across boundaries of geography, politics, gender, race, cross all divides and belong to every individual in those public spaces. Freedom of expression is vital for an artist’s work and we work to protect that very right and in the end the relationship is more fundamental. We experienced art together with our audience, it makes us feel human, and moves us to protect the human rights of others. Everyone has a voice and should use it… No one sees the world in exactly the same way, no one sees the world through the same eyes as I do, nobody will see how I think and feel about the world unless I express it in some ways. The interactive moments we shared with our audience was another means of getting closer to them, I was ready to hear their stories as much as they might like to hear mine. This can awaken their consciousness in a way politics or radical activism may not, this on the other hand inspires both fellow artistes and our audience, give self-confidence to people who believe in something but feel that they are alone.

Where do you see this project in 10 years?

After the African tour in 2007, we made a movie with the same title in 2008, in 2009 I did a similar project in Sao Paulo, in 2010 I returned to Brazil for a tour in Londrinas, Campinas, Joao Passoa and Recife. All these tours proved to me that this is where my heart is, as I continue to create for conventional theaters to feed my secondary needs, I will as well continue to do this project all over the world, to feed my basic need.

When did you start traveling?

2001, it was the very first time I left Lagos my city of birth.

How and why did you travel for the first time?

I traveled by air and it was for the purpose of performance in Madagascar.

In what places have you lived and what languages do you speak?

I have lived in Lagos, Ibadan, Chalons en Champagne and Paris. and I speak Yoruba, Nigerian Pigin, English, French and a bit of Portuguese.

What’s your favorite city so far?

I’ll pick Lagos, for so many obvious reasons, but I felt a similar vibe in Sao Paulo, Johannesburg and New York.

If you could only take one item with you to travel the world (other than your passport), what would it be?

My Quran.

Give us your global nomad profile:

window or aisle? Window. I can’t just stop admiring the work of God.

boat or plane? I can only swim in a pool. So I go for Plane.

train or bus? I love fast Train.

walk or bike? Bike for sure, Okada like we call it in Lagos

metro or trolley? Metro, but it depends where, if it is in a dirty and disorganized metro like in Paris, no thanks, I prefer a trolley.

tropical, temperate, polar? Tropical

hotel, hostel or local’s apartment? Local Apartment for sure. Even in the most dangerous favela, the locals will show you their survival technique, being in a five star hotel in a very safe neighborhood doesn’t guarantee your security.

must have fashion piece when traveling? Ma ALL STAR, My ever ready to dance partner in any condition.

explore/map or tour guide? Explore without Map. I’m an African. My mother told me if you cultivate the habit of asking people your way, you will never get lost. And I also feel its a very social thing to do.

Global Nomad dance Nigeria Qudus Paris
Go Green (& White) !

Proudly wear green and white this weekend to celebrate 50 years of independence for the Federal Republic of Nigeria! Need ideas? Don’t worry, CdC has it covered:

Nigeria independence
More than Just a Beauty Contest

The Mr. World competition does not get as much attention as the Miss World competition does, but its strong international impact is worth mentioning. From the location, to the contestants and the organization of the competition, the event is more a celebration of countries and cultures than a traditional pageant. This year the Mr. World competition was held in Incheon, South Korea, not far from the capital. The decision to hold the competition there was a strategic one as Incheon is trying to increase its visibility to the international community as a tourist destination where ancient culture and modernity co-exists.

The contestants consisted of 74 men from 74 different countries. For a period of 15 days, they competed in various competitions on sports, cooking and fashion. The men claim that the competition has not only allowed them to travel and learn more about Korean culture but it has also given them the opportunity to form bonds with men from around the world, friendships that they believe will last. Even though part of the judging is based on looks, the men are more than just their appearance as most of them are accomplished athletes, scholars and TV personalities.

The winner this year for the title of Most Desirable Man in the World 2010 was Kamal Ibrahim of Ireland followed by Josef Karas of the Czech Republic and then Kenneth Okolie of Nigeria.

Below are a few videos of some of the contestants. For more information and videos, go to the official Mr. World Website.

Ireland Korea Mr. World fashion Nigeria Czech Republic
Wednesday’s Global Nomad: Toyin

Toyin aka Standtall, is a Nigerian blogger and activist who writes about gender inequality, social empowerment and feminism in her blog Gender and Me. In 2009, she received a BlogHer Scholarship and was invited to speak at the BlogHer Conference in July 2009 about her blog and how it is changing the lives of many women and girls throughout Africa.

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What made you start this venture? Why are you doing this?

I am an activist that is keenly interested in and working on gender equality, women’s rights, feminism, ICT for Development and security. I am doing this because I believe the world will be a better place if we address all these challenges and difficulties we are faced with.

What do you hope to achieve?

I believe in women’s rights, a transformed Africa, a changed perspective and mindset on gender issues, and a continent that will use all of its natural resources to develop itself. I am currently on a study fellowship with King’s College on Peace and Security for African Women so I can gain further knowledge to help push forward the changes I wish to see in the world. When these changes start to happen on a larger scale, when leadership in Africa is about people and not self, I believe I would have achieved something tangible in line of my work for what I stand for.

How long have you been working on this?

Since my university days which was 11 years ago. I got much more involved and focus on activism after my university education.

What is the most interesting discovery you have made since starting this project?

I have discovered that not everybody who is passionate about an issue necessarily practices what they preach.

Where do you see this project in 10 years?

I believe that there would be a tremendous change in Africa regarding all the issues mentioned in 10 years time.

When did you start travelling?

Since 2004

How and why did you travel for the first time?

I travelled to Ghana in a luxury bus with all staff of Baobab for Women’s Human Rights where I was working then for a staff retreat and strategic planning.

In what places have you lived and what languages do you speak?

I have lived in Nigeria and I am currently living in London for 6 Months at the moment. I speak Yoruba [my local language] and English.

What’s your favorite city so far?

Chicago

If you could take only one item with you to travel the world, what would it be?

Laptop.

Give us your global nomad profile:
window or aisle? window (despite not liking to fly)
boat or plane? plane
train or bus? train
walk or bike? walk
metro or trolley? metro
tropical, temperate, polar? temperate
hotel,hostel, local’s apartment? hotel
must have fashion piece when traveling? earrings
explore/map or tour guide? tour guide

Nigeria Global Nomad
CDC Celebrates Nigeria’s Independence Day!

Today marks the 49th anniversary of Nigeria’s independence from the United Kingdom. Nigeria, a country full of tradition, diversity, history, resources and resilience is being celebrated around the world.

(shop,here)

holidays Nigeria
When I was in San Francisco I was able to catch a free performance of the Parisian born, Nigerian raised soul singer Asa (pronounced Asha), at Amoeba records. I was so excited because I planned on attending her concert last year in Switzerland but I couldn’t work it into my schedule.She sang a few of her songs from her self-entitled album including (Jailer, Fire on the Mountain, and 360 degrees) and it was enough to show the audience that she is a true artist with a refreshing sound.CDC is an Asa fan because she is proud of her heritage and is using her music to educate and inspire. Asa writes on her site, “I want my music to touch people. As an African, I want to give hope back to my people, but also to speak in their name. I want to show the world that something beautiful and positive can come out of the black continent and inspire young people all over the world.”To read more about Asa, or to listen to her album check out her website.Photo Credit:Benoit Peverelli

When I was in San Francisco I was able to catch a free performance of the Parisian born, Nigerian raised soul singer Asa (pronounced Asha), at Amoeba records. I was so excited because I planned on attending her concert last year in Switzerland but I couldn’t work it into my schedule.

She sang a few of her songs from her self-entitled album including (Jailer, Fire on the Mountain, and 360 degrees) and it was enough to show the audience that she is a true artist with a refreshing sound.

CDC is an Asa fan because she is proud of her heritage and is using her music to educate and inspire. Asa writes on her site, “I want my music to touch people. As an African, I want to give hope back to my people, but also to speak in their name. I want to show the world that something beautiful and positive can come out of the black continent and inspire young people all over the world.”

To read more about Asa, or to listen to her album check out her website.

Photo Credit:Benoit Peverelli

music nigeria
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