The name Prince Ade Omole rings bell among the Progressives, more resonately during the last presidential campaign that saw the toughest and most energy-sapping electioneering in the entire political history of Nigeria. Known as the *’Face of Diaspora’*. Prince Omole did not just get the moniker or sobriquet on a platter of gold. He worked his arse for it and deservingly too.
It was sometimes in 2018 when one of the progressive elders from the United Kingdom Chapter, Prince Joseph Fadele, having followed my commitment to the campaigns in personal efforts from 2014, contacted me. He would in 2018 ask for my contact for a bigger assignment from the Diaspora chapter as the 2019 general elections drew nearer. Prince Fadele was the connect between Prince Ade Omole and my humble self. The relationship did start. I met with Prince Omole in person at the NAF Conference Centre, Kado, Abuja in 2019 at the welcome dinner organised by the *Diaspora Commission*. Before then, he’d conscripted me as a member of the *Strategic Think-Tank* of the UK Chapter having seen what I could do for the Chapter.
As the 2019 election drew nearer, I was designated as the *Osun State Coordinator* of the _*APC United Kingdom Presidential Campaign Committee 2019*_. There on, we have bonded more like brothers. Prince Ade Omole, known for his reticence, unassuming and self-effacing personae would want to move mountains to get things done. Once he’s focused on something, he goes all the way in achieving that target. A particular adventure was the *Diaspora Bill* he re-engineered and pursued vigorously, dissipating gusto and zest with all the sine qua non resources, almost single-handedly. I was made the team lead from Nigeria moving from one office to other at the *National Assembly* in 2019, just so to get the buy-in of the 360 *House of Representatives* members and 109 members of the *Red Chamber*. He was (as he is always) determined.
The climax of the *Nigerian Diasporan Voting Council (NDVC)* under the ascendancy of Prince Omole as the *Chairman* was the public discourse held at the prestigious Transcorp Hilton Hotels, Abuja where the then Speaker of the 9th Assembly, now *Chief of Staff* to *Mr. President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila* attended alongside other prominent Nigerians including *Mama Diaspora* herself, Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Senator Babafemi Ojudu who represented the then Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Sen. Ajibola Bashiru, the National Secretary of our great Party today and many others.
Going forward, Prince Omole’s strong belief in my capacity was what necessitated him to call me from his London-based abode on August 30, 2021, and told me of a national assignment I had been chosen to shoulder by the Think-Tank. He informed me of the formation of a new support group formed by himself called the *Nigeria Diaspora for Asiwaju (NDA)*. He said I had been chosen as the country’s *National Coordinator*, while *Mr. Akin Lee* Badeji would act as the *Director-General*, and *Alhaji Dauda Adams* would work as the *Diaspora Coordinator*. The rest today is history. It is my pride to say, under my leadership in Nigeria, with immense support from Prince Omole, the NDA in just few months became a household name, only second to the *Tinubu Support Group (TSG)*.
Prince Omole, why did I write all these ‘turinshi’ today? It is to appreciate you and let the world know that whatever name I, *Omogbolahan L.A BABAWALE* is making or will subsequently make politically was largely due to your belief in my capacity to deliver on any assignment. You provided me the platform to showcase my mettle as a leader. Today, I have many members of the (now) gasping Nigeria Diaspora for Asiwaju (NDA) gravitate towards me for what they term ‘leadership vacuum’ since I left the once-virile and ubiquitous prominent support group.
Meeting you again yesterday at the office of the *Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi* to whom, today, I work as an *SA, Strategy and Communications*, I consider it another opportunity to appreciate you.
Dear Prince, you are not only an asset to the Progressive family but the country at large. I hope and pray that the country would provide you an opportunity to unleash the enormous potential you are benison-ed with.
Thank you for all you do – for nation building and for humanity.
OMOGBOLAHAN L.A BABAWALE
Convener/Lead Resource Person
The Think-Tinubu Initiative (3TI)
