Recently, an Award was organised by an entertainment company, NaijaGal Entertainment on the 16th of August, 2015 to celebrate 37 personalities. Few of the Awardees are Malvin Records, AY, Koffi, Godwin Enakhena, Toyin lbitoye, Mfon Udoh, Bar. Olumide Akindiya, Zinnox Technologies, Omo Baba, Yemi Alade, Mr. Femi Aderibigbe aka Kwame and other top personalities/celebrities. This Award named: MyMicMySwag Season 2 has its host to be Koffi ldowu Nuel, Empress Njamah and Omo Baba (Masters of Ceremonies). DJ Switch played at the event apart from receiving Award with other artists: BXY, etc. Our guest being one of the Awardees for Barrister was celebrated for his amazing inspiration to African Youths through legal education and tenacity. His name is Barrister Olumide Akindiya.
Olumide Akindiya is the Principal Partner of Olumide Akindiya & Co., Legal Practitioners, Corporate & Real Estate Consultants with corporate office at No. 47, Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Charity Bus Stop, Orile-Oshodi in Lagos State. His law firm came into existence in March 27, 2012 with lone vision of his. With his members of staff, they have offered Client satisfaction through several litigation matters and Solicitorship and also free legal services to helpless and poorer people. His firm offers general legal services including entertainment. Just like other professionals, he has celebrities as friends, clients and prospective clients. He is also a Poet with his type of poem called legal poem. He is one of the youngest law columnists in Nigeria with his weekly column called “Ask the Lawyer” in Hallmark Newspaper every Tuesday for more than a year educating the public on law and raising potentials of youth through seminars. He has published up to 39 legal topics and legal issues. He was one of the recipients of an Award of Service from Oshodi Community Development Association in Oshodi Local Government on 24th of July, 2015 for his selfless community services and contributions to the development of Oshodi in general. ln maximizing his potential apart from law practice, he will soon publish his first law book comprising about 330 pages and 480 cases cited to correct public perception and legally educate the public on “Suspect & Accused Person in Nigeria” as crime is increasing in Nigeria. Lastly, he has enjoyed several interviews both locally & internationally on state of the nation, entertainment and so on. He is expecting more Awards soon and he is happy that the Awards are coming in before launching of his law book. To him, the Awards are testimony of his legal hustle and positive impacts in the societies through law practice, his law column, adding value to people including clients and legal orientation in media, programme about law and motivational talks.
On his journey to become a Lawyer, he said, it started from childhood when his flair for mental argument, writing, drawing and love for Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN)’s efforts during military era. So he reposted from science class to art class in Secondary School by his parents who have discovered his potential that their son cannot be in science class. That his father died before his admission to Lagos State University (LASU) to study Law. Thus, it was a rough journey as there was no financial back up than his little father’s estate and great efforts of his old mother. He started his internship in law firm and attending Court earlier and he started his law firm earlier too. ln all, he thanked God that he did not only achieve his dream of being a Lawyer, but added more to it to enhance its law practice, management of his law firm and preaching about law through through his legal orientation.
On how he felt about the Awards, he said he was excited that it came through recommendation. That the Award from Oshodi community blew his mind more since Apapa-Oshodi Expressway is within Oshodi Local Government and that is where his law office was situated and his little contribution was appreciated. He said he has contributed to entertainment industry too going through his profile. He ended it by saying thank to the organisers of both awards; those in advance too as it motivated him to work harder and preach about law more.
On his piece of advice to others, he advised that there was need to discover ones potentials, exploit it with ones chosen profession, have strong passion, make sacrifice, be rugged, set priority, have principle, be humble and knowing what you want in life. The focus should not be on money but meeting needs and adding values. The more problems are solved; the more money and benefits will come at the right time. It takes extra- ordinary efforts to bring extra-ordinary rewards and benefits. Thank you!