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NIDO NY CHAPTER HONORABLE (Hon.) MEMBERS

Meet the leadership team who helps drive the NIDO NY Chapter's mission forward. 

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NY CHAPTER PRESIDENT 
Hon. Bobby Digi

NIDOA-NY President Bobby Digi is a widely known and celebrated community leader and advocate on Staten Island, the greater New York State and internationally. He is the Executive Director of Canvas Institute, a Youth Advocate and mentor, and a Compassionate Systems Master Practitioner. Bobby Digi co-owns an international restaurant and a medical clinic in the community he grew up in. Born in Brooklyn to parents of Nigerian descent, he was raised in multi-ethnic Park Hill/Stapleton on Staten Island. He has always been inspired to bring people of diverse backgrounds together to discover solutions to challenging issues.

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NY CHAPTER VICE PRESIDENT 
Hon. Josephine Aguoji

My name is Chief Dr. Mrs. Josephine Uzoamaka Aguoji. I was born at Jebba then Kwara State to Engineer Josiah & Mrs. Comfort Ekunno from Anambra State. I reside presently in New York with my family. I retired after teaching as a teacher and Supervisor with the  Department of Education, New York and now I have my own businesses-a GFDC daycare and an Early Intervention Agency.  I joined NIDO-NY to use the platform to give back to my community and Country Nigeria. The interesting thing about me is that I enjoy giving back to the underprivileged by embarking on a yearly Education Outreach mission to different towns in Anambra State, Nigeria.

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NY CHAPTER DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Hon. Omolara Johnson

My name is Omolara Johnson. I'm a Nigerian-American from Staten Island, New York based in Tampa, Florida. I’m a full time entrepreneur cultivating wellness and fitness experiences so people could lead a healthier fulfilling life. I joined NIDO-NY to connect with a passionate collective of people interested in expanding resources between the United States and Nigeria.   A fun fact about me is that my last name is Johnson because my great-great grand father was illegally brought to the United States as a slave after slavery was abolished.

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NY CHAPTER GENERAL SECRETARY
Hon. Olugbenga Okunoye

My name is Gbenga Okunoye. I am a  Builder/Developer in NY, NJ & West Africa, Owner and Managing Director of Home Away From Home Commercial & Residential Construction (HAFH). I'm passionate about everything "Naija" to the fullest. My personal goal and reason I joined NIDO-NY is to learn more about our country and participate through organization with  fellow Nigerians to affect change, take advantage of opportunities, and appreciate the gift as well as the responsibilities of having the power of dual citizenship.

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NY CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR
Hon. Racheal Ojo

My name is Racheal Oluwakemi Ojo and I reside in Staten Island, NY. I am an Occupational Therapist specializing in pediatrics. What led me to join NIDO-NY was the urge to connect with, learn from, and contribute to the progress of Nigerians in the US in order to enhance the image of Nigeria in the diaspora. A fun fact about me is that I am a descendant of the great warrior, Chief Ogedengbe Agbogungboro, the Obanla of Ilesa. He was my great great grandfather.

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NY CHAPTER LEGAL ADVISER
Hon. Olawale Munis

My name is Olawale Munis born in Lagos Nigeria, but now I live in Staten Island, New York. I was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2011 and was in active practice for a few years then I transitioned into RF Engineering and my passion for IT eventually led me into my current role as an Agile Coach where I lead teams of software developers. I joined Nido-NY to collaborate with a team of seasoned industry leaders, to contribute our quota in building a greater Nigeria. Noteworthy also is I am a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus where I currently hold the position of recorder in my council.

NY CHAPTER FINANCIAL DIRECTOR
Hon. Joan Komolafe

NY CHAPTER SERGEANT-AT-ARMS
Hon. Emmanuel Ojo-Powerson II

My name is Emmanuel Olusegun Oluwadamilola Ojo- Powerson II. I'm a first generation Nigerian-American from Staten Island, NY based in Pocono Pines, Pennsylvania. I am an advocate counselor for the YABC program and Principal Owner of Powerola LLC, where we provided unarmed and armed security for details in NY, NJ, and PA, and also youth leader at the church. I joined NIDO-NY to connect the people from the diaspora and from Nigeria with resources and come up with solutions to bring Nigeria to a much better place. Interesting fact about me is that I’m a mixed martial artist.

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NY CHAPTER MEMBER
Hon. Ranti Ogunleye

Ranti Ogunleye is a first-generation Staten Islander, raised in Park Hill and Stapleton. He is the second son born to parents Laurencia & Gabriel Ogunleye of Nigeria. Currently, Ranti is the Initiative Manager for the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, where he mentored hundreds of youth, secured thousands of COVID-19 tests, and provided wraparound resources for communities in need.

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I am Dr. Joan Olubunmi Chiyere Komolafe. I’ve been working in healthcare for 30yrs and was the director for one of the largest homecare companies in NY for 21yrs. I’m also a writer and I own several businesses in the U.S. and Nigeria.   I am a princess x2. I speak Igbo and Yoruba. Looking forward to learning how to speak Hausa (on my bucket list). I joined NIDO because l believe Nigeria needs the diaspora influence / youth to effect change.

ABOUT US 

In the late 1990s, there was a vibrant debate on the phenomenon of Brain-drain, the migration of skilled human resources for trade, education and greater opportunity mostly from developing countries to the West. These discussions focused on how to harness the talent and resources of Nigerians in Diaspora toward the economic and social development of Nigeria. Hence, the birth of the Nigerian in Diaspora Organization Americas, NIDOA. Nigerians in Diaspora Organization Americas was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 2000-2001 in the District of Columbia. NIDO is the single representative body recognized by the Federal Government of Nigeria as the umbrella organization for Nigerians in the Diaspora. NIDO provides a unique platform for intellectuals, technocrats, policy makers, workers and all Nigerians in Diaspora to present development propositions to the Government at all levels.  (NIDOA-USA)

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NIDO NY Chapter is a registered 501(c)(3) organization and is composed of professionals who are uplifting our community here in New York to thereby uplift and contribute to our nation of Nigeria.

 

We achieve using this following platforms:

i. NIDO NY will act as a liaison between the NYC Nigerian community and Nigerian consulate in order to dissipate miscellaneous issues regarding passports

ii. Fundraise to donate to organizations in Nigeria that are of need (monetary; items)

iii. Develop programs for the betterment of the Nigerian community of NY and in Nigeria

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