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.