Popular Nigerian comedian and social crusader, Ambassador Francis Agoda, widely known as I Go Dye, has been appointed a Global Diplomat for Sustainable Development and Peace Advocate by the International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA).
The honour, bestowed by the Senate and Governing Council of IAWPA, recognises I Go Dye’s long-standing contributions to humanitarian causes, peacebuilding efforts, and sustainable development across Africa and beyond.
In his new role, Ambassador Agoda will collaborate with foreign ministries of United Nations member states to advance multilateral diplomacy, promote global peace initiatives, and support the realisation of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
To facilitate his work, he has been issued a United Nations diplomatic passport (Laissez-Passer), a UN diplomatic identity card bearing the title “His Excellency, Ambassador Francis Agoda,” and a UNV Roster Code. He has also been assigned a diplomatic licence plate—Corps Diplomatique EPA CD 79—for official peace missions globally.
I Go Dye’s activism is rooted in personal experience. In 1997, he survived the violent Ijaw-Itsekiri conflict in Warri, Delta State, an event that claimed the lives of three close friends. Wounded and traumatised, he turned his pain into purpose, becoming a vocal advocate for peace and equitable development in the Niger Delta by 1999.
His peace advocacy gained international attention with the release of Peace in Sight, a short documentary co-produced with the Nigerian government and the United Nations, aimed at promoting peace in conflict-prone communities.
Beyond comedy, I Go Dye has earned a reputation for bold political satire and consistent advocacy for good governance. His open letters to African leaders and biting social commentary have inspired millions to question systems of leadership, corruption, and accountability.
Over the years, his dedication to social impact has garnered him more than 300 awards, cementing his status as Africa’s most decorated stand-up comedian.
In 2019, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he offered his $9.5 million FAPOH Mansion to the Nigerian government as an isolation centre. He also provided relief materials to vulnerable communities, further demonstrating his commitment to grassroots welfare.
His latest appointment builds on earlier global recognitions. In 2014, he was named a UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Ambassador, and in 2016, a UN SDGs Ambassador.
In 2017, he received the prestigious Africa Child Prize, joining distinguished figures such as Nelson Mandela, Wole Soyinka, Adama Barrow, and Olusegun Obasanjo. That same year, the African Union appointed him Africa Child Ambassador.
With this new honour, I Go Dye continues to exemplify the power of using influence for social change, combining comedy, activism, and diplomacy to promote a more peaceful and equitable world.
Leave a Reply