n the beginning, God created Heaven and Earth, and God blessed the world with everything. Nigerians Abroad intention was to go to school, possibly raise families of their own, gain some experience and return to Nigeria, to make an impact on the Society. After graduation, they started graduating from menial job to more professional jobs harmonizing their educational background; such as lawyers, medical doctors, Counselors, Engineers, Professors, (real ones), Administrators, Entrepreneurs, Pastors, Imams, and other service oriented professions.

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Their children start graduating from Elementary School, Middle School, High School and College. Some of them are advancing to Graduate programs, some start working, getting married, and some are having babies before graduating from College, making grandparents of their parents overnight. Unfortunately, Nigerians Abroad are still in foreign land. In as much as Nigerians want their children to attain the highest in their education, following their parents' footsteps, I doubt if Nigerians Abroad want their children to go through the 'hardship' they went through, by obtaining their Bachelors Degree in their 30s.

My Baby son corrected me, and said to me "it is not who will follow your footsteps, but who will make bigger imprints over your footsteps". What a good philosophical challenge to Nigerians Abroad from my Baby son who was with me when writing this piece.

At the point when these children are becoming parents, it beckoned on their parents, who are turning 50, 60, and 70 years, retiring from their Professional jobs to do something for Nigerian Youth. They need to step into their parents' shoes, excuse me, to "make bigger imprints over your footsteps". It is about time batons are passed to Nigerian Youths who are speedily becoming blown-out adults. Each of the Nigerian Associations should be adding Youth Programs into their agenda, before the children get lost.

In the confusions about Nigerians 'gold-rush' for titles, image making, Nigerian youth organization, in the State of Georgia is saying, Daddy, Mummy, please come back to real life, and stop chasing Titles. 'Get real Dad', Nigerian Youth Alliance, "Preparing Leaders and Bridging the Gap", seems to be telling their parents in the State of Georgia. Since 1999, NYA has been working tirelessly, revamping Nigeria image, regardless what Nigeria Government is doing or not doing. This has been approached through its yearly community activities and programs, developed around its needs, aspirations, community services, and its Mission,

NYA Mission is

"to bridge the gap between the Nigerian and the American cultures and to create opportunities for youth leadership development through community service involvement."

I have the opportunity, over the years, to attend all of NYA events. Some of its events are unknown to some Nigerians in Georgia especially. It has embarked on Community Services, Self-appraised programs, Leadership Trainings, Entertainment, and Cultural displays of their heritage. NYA members are the unsung heroes and heroines of Nigerians Abroad, especially in the State of Georgia. They have come a long way, quietly doing their thing to the admiration of the community where members reside.

Some of these yearly events are; Leadership Retreat, which is usually in Spring of each year. NYA members, usually High School upperclassmen and College Students, go on an overnight retreat. During the retreat, seminars are conducted, while learning about its members' strength and weaknesses. Motivational Speakers sharpen NYA members' skills in dealing with their day-to-day activities and survival in life.

Graduation is in June mainly for High School Graduates. Each year NYA Advisory Board awards $200.00 each to all Graduates, for Community Services; Nigerian Women Association of Georgia, NWAG, awards $500.00 each to four outstanding females Graduates, for academic excellence; Bolaji Caulcrick Scholarship of $300.00 goes to an outstanding male graduating student; AfriGrowth awards of $250.00 each goes to two outstanding Graduating students for Community Services and Leadership; African Children Fund also awards $250.00 each to two Students for Community Services; while the Nigerian Consulate Office give Certificates of Excellence to graduating students in recognition of their community services. Mrs. Ada Ngoddy, an Advisory Board member, adds flavor to the Graduation gifts, by providing a package for each of the Graduates the essential needs for their first time in College. The graduation ceremony is tagged Community Graduation and Award Ceremony. Following the criteria, the Advisory assessed the graduates for each of the Scholarships.

An annual three-day Conference is organized in July of each Year as well. The Conference consists of workshops, rigorous competition, with monetary prizes, and activities refocusing NYA attention to its goals and mission.

In efforts to build a better relationship with the American community, an annual Basket Ball Tournament is added to its yearly programs. NYA male members compete with their non-Nigerian friends. At half time of the game, NYA Dance Group performs, to display the vibrancy of the Nigerian culture. Family members are welcomed to the event with plenty of food, drink, and much fun.

Cultural Night Extravaganza showcases Nigerian heritage. It involves poetry and dance that reflect the energy and spirit of Nigeria, and present a fashion show to illustrate Nigeria unique colorful attire. It is an appreciation for, and connection with the Nigerian culture. This event is put together in August before returning to School to round up Summer Holidays. Added to that was the "Sons of Thunder" drummers and Dancers group.

If you really want to know how Nigerian parents are at their respective homes, seeing your picture through your children, you need to attend this cultural, free talent night. The October 2006 cultural night was very entertaining where I saw various talents among Nigerian Youth, and saw myself dealing with my children on a cultural juxtaposition at home.

The Thanksgiving Lock-in is from 8:00pm till 8:00am the following morning. NYA members engage in numerous icebreakers and games that create a higher level of comfort among members. There are group discussions, growing up as a Nigerian-American at the Lock-in, are some highlights of the night. The night is usually a reflection, knowing each other more, play games, such as basketball, and in-depth mental competition about Nigeria. The goal of this event is to build stronger, more genuine connections between NYA and its supporters.

End of the Year Celebration is organized to cumulate NYA activities, to celebrate its accomplishments and welcome new friends to the organization. I overfed myself and completely exhausted in one of its Parties that I attended with good food, and excellent music. It was a great outing for me with great fun. It provides a social arena for members and supporters of NYA to fellowship. American friends are welcomed to the event.

In its quest to continue the interaction with the community, some of NYA Community Outreach programs include, AIDS Walk Atlanta, Hosea Williams Feed the Hungry, and MedShare. NYA has volunteered in such places as Tyler Perry performance in Atlanta, DST Step Show, African Deli of West End, Delta Sigma, and Civic Center activities done throughout the year.

Parents are welcomed to sponsor any of NYA yearly events. It does not hurt. NYA members sponsor themselves for each of their yearly programs, sacrificing their candy money to pay for NYA programs. The message is about supporting their sons and daughters as they are projecting Nigeria good image in their own way. Parents need to attend some of the NYA programs as a way of supporting their efforts showcasing their genuineness of being real Nigerians, the first generation of Nigerian-American on the rise.

NYA leaders now conduct their independent businesses, draw their own agenda, plan and execute the agenda to the last letter. At its lock-in event in 2006, members followed their leaders' directive without any argument. They have full respect for their leaders. NYA has progressed from being spoon-fed to actually re-socializing Nigerian parents, and 'feeding', not only its members, but their communities. The parent advisors have done wonderfully well on the Nigerian Youth. Mfon has done well on the programs, Julie continues to recruit and instill on the Youth good sense of belonging, and Abby has trained them on how to manage their money.

In one of its meetings for an election, I was amazed at the outcome of the election. I was under the impression that there would be chaos, as we have many strong candidates, so my presence was to ease the tension. When we started the election, some candidates excused themselves outside the meeting place for a while. When they returned the candidates have agreed who would contest for which position. It went smoothly without any trouble, with no ethnic or gender connotations as Nigerian Adults would do in their associations. It was amazing.

Attending their meeting this past Sunday, (January 21, 2007), it was more organized than any of the Nigerian Organizations' meeting I have attended. There was no argument over irrelevant issues that would normally take the whole meeting of a typical Nigerian association's meeting. They started their meeting and concluded it within a reasonable time, and much was accomplished highlighting the 2007 events. This is a plus to the Parent coordinators. Other Nigerian Association could be borrowing from NYA.

Going back to history lane, the call from Ms. Mfon Ufot to me in 1999, about bringing Nigerian Youth together resulted in the formation of NYA, with active efforts from Mrs. Abby Ebodaghe, and Mrs. Julie Ajayi. The idea was sold to the then Consul General, Dr. Martins Ihomoibhi at a dinner in my place and he endorsed it. He could be referred to as the father of the NYA for his strong support for the Nigerian Youth programs in Georgia. The hard work of Mfon (Programs Coordinator), Abby (Finance) and Julie (Mobilization) as parent coordinators has yielded some dividends for Nigerian Youth in the State of Georgia.

In addition, we appealed to other Nigerians to volunteer their time as Advisory Board members to guide the Nigerian Youth establishment. The founding NYA Advisory Board members are Soji Tinubu, Charles Onyirimba, Louis Ebodaghe, Dr. Mohammed Ladan, David Nji, and Dr. Femi Ajayi. The other Advisory Board members are Mrs. Ada Ngoddy, Dr. Winifred Uzzi, Dr. Michael Adeleye, Mr. Victor Agbu, Mr. Victor Mbaba, Mr. Paul Nwakudu, Mr. Shola Olorunsola, and Ms. Temitope Aiyejorun.

NYA is ready to work with any other Nigerian Youth Organizations all over the world to continue its crusade of projecting Nigeria good image. Such organizations could be Nigerian Youth Association of Maryland, www.nyamaryland.org, info@nyamaryland.org; Nigeria Youth Group-BC, www.nygbc.com, naijyouth@yahoo.ca, Vancouver British Columbia; Nigeria Youth Association, Abuja, Nigeria youthassociation@hotmail.com, princeniyi@yahoo.com; and especially Junior Chamber International, University of Ilorin, a Worldwide Federation of young leaders and entrepreneurs, www.jci.cc, ideallom@yahoo.com.

The current NYA Executive Board members are Chidma Eto-President, Ada Ebbis-Vice President, Wunmi Adeleye-Financial Secretary, Aite Akharume-General Secretary, Chioma Agu-Chair, Events Planning, Gbubemi Orugboh-Ex-Officio, and Kevin Ogbu-Trustee.

NYA has demonstrated through its annual programs in the State of Georgia, while transmitting to the entire world, that Nigerians Abroad are good and very hospitable people. They are very hard working, success-driven breeds, very skillful at their areas of discipline.

In the past Governors Ahmed Makarfi and Dr. Bukola Saraki of Kaduna and Kwara States respectively were present at NYA graduations and are Honorable Life Patrons. Both have donated graciously to the NYA cause. These two are credible Nigerian leaders NYA associate with.

To be a member and learn more about NYA, visit its website at www.nigeriya.org, its e-mail address is at info@nigeriya.org.

The website music is unique. Sometimes I log on to that site and leave it on just to listen to the good music, "Ijo ya. Awa la ni jo", 'Let us dance. The dance belongs to us'.