The 12th Edition of Nigeria Media Nite-Out Award 2018 is around the corner as great preparation are being made to make it meritorious as usual. Different media gurus will be awarded on different categories and other media friendly personalities are not left for their selfless service to humanity. Our general Counsel, Prince Olumide Akindiya is one of the preferred nominees and he will be honoured as “Legal Practitioner of the Year for his outstanding contribution to the media industry” at the event on Sunday, 23rd of Sept, 2018 at Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos State. Red Carpet: 2pm & Main event: 3pm.
Host: Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos State). Guest Speaker: Gov. Al-Makura (Nasarawa State) to speak on “Role of Media in Ensuring Credible Elections and Maintenance of Good Governance.” Special Guests expected to grace this prestigious award event are: Gov. Dankwabo (Gombe State), Gov. Wike (Rivers State), Gov. Abubakar (Jigawa State), Oni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye, Senator Sheun Sani, Senator Olamilekan Yayi and so on.
The question is who is Prince Olumide Akindiya? We deem it fit for public knowledge and opinion to release the profile of this enterprising and youthful lawyer. This is a man you need to know:
Olumide Akindiya as one of the princes from Ikole Ekiti was born on the 17th of August, 1980 and he earned his Bachelor of Law (LL.B Hons) from Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos in 2008. He attended Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2009. During his NYSC days, he served with the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Dutse in Jigawa State. He also co-anchored a radio programme called ‘You & the Law’ in Freedom Radio 99.5FM at Dutse, Jigawa during his service year. He later worked with a law firm, Ademola Ijaoba & Co. Legal Practitioners for a year before establishing his own law firm of Olumide Akindiya & Co. Legal Practitioners & Notary Public in Lagos on March 27, 2012 offering general legal services till date. He had solitarily handled up to sixty cases at lower Courts and Superior Courts for his law firm apart from Solicitorship. Known for litigation, Civil and Criminal matter, Land matters, Probate matters, Company and Commercial Law, Debt Recovery, Fundamental Rights, Entertainment, etc.
Based on his active law practice and payment of annual practising fees, he was appointed Notary Public of Federal Republic of Nigeria by Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Walter Onnoghen, GCON on the 12th of July, 2018 upon meeting certain conditions of being a Notary. Through his law firm, he had rendered free legal advice to people and corporate bodies. Also, pro bono services to poorer people, journalists, celebrities/entertainers and associations. They include: Joe El Amadi of Kennis Music, K-Solo, Queen Azzezat Allen, Artist & Director at COSON, Seyi Allen, Damilola Banire, Miriam Aponmepore, Alaba Rago Market Association, Femi Oyewale, publisher of Sahara Weekly Magazine, Central Star Magazine, Harmony (Ibon-Epe) Cooperative Agricultural Multi-Purpose Society Ltd, etc.
Apart from being a practising Lawyer & Notary, he does write from his tender age till date. He was once one of the youngest law Columnists in Nigeria with Business Hallmark Newspaper on a weekly column for almost two years until the newspaper restructured and it affected his column so he had to stop. He published 34 articles with 42 publications. With his column name ‘Ask the Lawyer’ giving legal orientation & free legal advice to the public via different media. Apart from his column, he had published several articles in Nigeria newspapers, magazines, blogs, etc. Also, granted interviews on legal issues, matter arising, etc on TVs and Radios.
He is also a Poet who has his unique poem called legal poem. He gave 40 poems to the Nation Newspaper in 2008 after exclusive interview with him on his poetry works which was published for years. He intends to publish his anthology soon comprising sixty poems which topics include: Legal Wahala, Substantial Justice, Dear Mama, If Only, World of Ignoramus I & II and so on.
He has spoken at public and award events as public speaker too on law related issues in Lagos, Abuja & Kaduna. Some of these legal topics include: Crime within the Community; 21st Century Artistes Within the Confines of the Law; Impacts of Entertainment towards Economic Advancement; Exploring Intellectual Property for Self & Economic Growth Under the Nigerian Copyright Law, etc.
For his contributions in many areas, he already have seven (7) awards to his credit which include:
1. Service Award at Oshodi CDA & Scholarship Award 2015 (Lagos);
2. Barrister Award at My Mic My Swag Award 2015 (Lagos) for his legal education of the public (column);
3.Legal Personality of the Year at Peace Achievers Award 2015 (Abuja);
4. Entertainment Supporting Lawyer in 2015 at Kaduna Entertainment Award 2015 (Kaduna).
5. Enterprising Legal Icon of the Year at ECA Award 2015 (Abuja).
6. Entertainment Supporting Law Firm at Kaduna Entertainment Award 2016 (Kaduna) on behalf of his law firm
7. Honour & Appreciation Award at Neros Just Dance Entertainment Award 2018 (Lagos).
He had the privilege to have received these awards with Gov. Nasir El-Rufai, Late Alh. (Dr.) Ibrahim A. Coomassie, Amb. John Fashanu, Access Bank, Hon. Dakuku Peter side, Leo-Stan Ekeh, Don Jazzy of Marvins Records, Femi Aderibigbe (Chairman, Orisun TV & Nigezie TV), Toyin Ibitoye, Ayo Makun known as AY, Davido, Yemi Alade, Ayo Adesanya, Alex Ekubo, Oritse Femi, Kiss Daniel, Koffi & other personalities & celebrities.
He is a distinguished member of Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja Branch.
His unpublished books include:
1. Suspect & Defendant in Nigeria: Criminal Culpability, Plight, Constitutional Rights & Enforcement. Foreword by Hon. Justice Ganiyu Safari.
2. Fundamental Rights & Other Legal Writings. Foreword by Hon. Justice Ayotunde Phillips (Mrs.)
3. Guide to Lagos State Tenancy Law.
4. Legal Wahala & Other Poems.
He is happily married and has a son.
His hobbies are mental argument, writing, playing table tennis, snooker and recently, listening to good music.
We wish to congratulate him on recognition of his huge efforts as a legal practitioner and his ability to maximize his potentials for common good of the people and not only media practitioners. We will keep you updated about this prestigious award called Nigeria Media Nite-Out Award 2018.