By; ISAAC ODEH
Dayo Israel (LLB (Hons), MA International Relations) is a renowned polymath; A season diplomat, social entrepreneur, in demand evangelist, TV personality, astute motivational speaker, advocate, Conference facilitator, High Performance Coach, young thought leader and has served as an advisor to various global leaders, business executive, politicians, young entrepreneur and sports professionals. He is also an internationally recognized personality with over 20years of professional experience in international development having worked with organisations such as The United Nations, British Council, Save the Children UK, UNICEF, in various capacities and has appeared on countless television interviews, commercials, talk shows, radio programs, and was even selected by the United Nations to represent all the young delegates to the UN General Assembly Special Session on Children on a special CNN Live Interview. He was specially invited by Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh to a private reception at Buckingham palace. He was also invited by the Obama Administration to the White House President’s Forum for Young African Leaders in Washington DC and an Alumnus of the US State Department International Visitors Leadership Program that has produced over 400 Heads of Government globally.
Dayo now serves as the National Youth Leader of Nigeria’s ruling party. However prior to this he served as Permanent Board Member of Lagos SUBEB.
Before venturing into the public sector, he served as Country Director for GLEEHD Foundation. Through his work at GLEEHD Foundation, Dayo helped drive trade and investment between Africa and the West (Europe and North America) through various activities including Trade Delegations, Business Roundtables, Investment Forums and Bilateral Meetings. Dayo also consults for Senior Executives and Government leaders in the areas of brand positioning and visibility strategy.
A London Met Graduate with a LLB (Hon’s) Law and M.A International Relations from London Met, Dayo furthered his additional qualification at Harvard Business School, Cambridge Judge Business School, and is an Alumni of the Executive Development Program of the Wharton School. Dayo is a Doctoral Candidate, undergoing his Doctor of Business Administration program.
Prior to his role as Regional Director for Africa at GLEEHD Foundation, Dayo served as Special Assistant at the National Assembly of Nigeria, YTI Special Representative to the United Nations, and YGA Ambassador to the United Nations. At the United Nations, he was responsible for overseeing YTI/YGA’s Interaction and relationship with the United Nations, Representing YTI/YGA at various UN Meetings and Functions and also leading various advocacies of the organisation, which led to various side events at the UN DPI meetings in Bonn, Paris and New York coordinated by Dayo.
At the National Assembly of Nigeria (Office of Senator Omoworare – now Chairman Senate Committee on Rules and Business), Dayo was responsible for Strategy Development, Project Design and Evaluation. He was also responsible for Creating and maintaining relationships with Strategic Global partners such as the World Bank, VSO, British Council and other International Organisations etc. Dayo was responsible for arranging the first official visit of the Former US Consul General –Jeffrey Hawkins and the US embassy delegation to the National Assembly of Nigeria – during which the delegation observed the sitting of the parliament and were acknowledged by Senate President David Mark.
His achievements at the National Assembly also included Fostering Trade and Investment Opportunities for his constituents and linking local businesses with international partners in Europe and North America with support from UK Trade and Investment; as well as Supporting his principal in his interactions with International Organisations, Diplomatic Community, and UN entities by working closely with liaison staff and senior officials of those entities. He developed new initiatives concerned with: community development, women empowerment, youth development, renewable and alternative energy, health care, and education, while building partnerships with the funding, civic, and political communities. Dayo created international opportunities for his Youth Constituent through design, development and implementations international exchange programs
Dayo facilitates many high profile events and meetings to connect Emerging Leaders with stakeholders and senior executives providing opportunity for mentorship and networking for development and growth. Some of his programs have featured World Bank Vice Presidents, Former Prime Ministers, Former and Serving Presidents, Ambassadors and High Net worth Individual.
Dayo’s TV show – Dayo Israel in Conversation with – airs on 3 TV stations in Nigeria and her Diaspora and brings to the public conversations that are transformative, informative and inspirational with an intention to inspire thoughts that lead to life affirming changes. The show features some of the most prominent and eminent leaders cross-sector including Presidents and Heads of Government, Politicians, Musicians, Sportsmen and women, Fashion Designers, Artists, Painters, Writers, Military Officers, and the ordinary unknown who do so much to help others in a very significant way. With discussions spanning Family, Faith, Finance, Politics, Science, Art, Business, Technology, Literature and Philosophy.
As a top ranked keynote speaker, author and television personality, Dayo Israel has risen to national prominence by delivering high energy message and speeches which tells people how to shake off mediocrity, turn their potential into performance and live up to their greatness. It is a message Dayo has learned from his own life and one he is helping others apply to their lives.
He gets his message out to an international audience of millions through his various tours, inspirational conferences, seminars, motivational coaching, philanthropic work, TV show, Media appearances, audio programs, and Youth advocacy.
He co-launched the UNICEF State of the World Children’s Report in 2003 alongside Carol Bellamy and Oscar Award Winner – Vanessa Redgrave CBE. A former student leader, Dayo was the First African to be elected a Student Council Chair at London Metropolitan University and served on the University’s Academic Board with the Vice Chancellor, representing over 30, 000 students on the board. He was also a member of the research and development committee of the University with the Deputy Vice Chancellor during his Post Graduate days.
He has met and addressed so many world leaders like HRM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, HRH Prince Andrew Duke of York, Dr. Nelson Mandela, Former Nigerian Head of State – General Yakubu Gowon, Former Nigerian President and current UN Envoy to Congo: Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, President Goodluck Jonathan, Former Prime Minister Sir John Major, President Roberto Cavaco of Portugal, President Thabo Mbeki, President Jacob Zuma, EU Jose Manuel Barosso, Dr. Kofi Annan, Dr. Donald Kaberuka, Prime Minister Dlamini Absalom Themba, Queen Mubarak of Egypt, President Yahya Jameh, President Tejjan Kabbah, President John Kufor, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Foreign Secretary William Hague, UN Scribe Ban Ki Moon and many other Heads of States and Presidents in Africa and Europe.
He attracts a lot of “positive” media attentions and has featured on CNN Q and A Live, Daystar Christian Broadcasting Network, Iranian Press TV, Nickelodeon, BBC Network Africa, Ben Television, OBE TV, BBC World Service, NTA Newsline, and T.V Africa. He produces and presents the syndicated “Dayo Israel Show” across Europe and Africa. He has made headlines on various national newspapers such as Swazi Today, The Comet newspaper, The Punch newspaper, Tribune newspaper and The Nigerian Guardian
