Adeola Austin Oyinlade
University of Lagos law student, Adeola Austin Oyinlade has won this year 7th Annual Nigerian Youth Leadership Awards of LEAP AFRICA. Leadership, Effectiveness, Accountability & Professionalism (LEAP) Africa is a non-profit organization developing dynamic, innovative and principled leaders who will drive Africa’s realization of its full potential and it recognizes and celebrates the contribution of Young people to Nigeria’s development.
Adeola, who was commissioned on May this year as United Nations Young Ambassador for Peace for his contribution to National and International development will on today (Thursday), 11th of November, be presented LEAP AFRICA awards among other four young Nigerians out of over 140 young people nominated for this year awards at Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos through his initiative, ‘KNOW YOUR CONSTITUTION.’
According to Adeola, “KNOW YOUR CONSTITUTION” on UNILAG 103.1 FM, a community radio station, is a radio programme being presented to Lagosian (people residing in Lagos State) in a simple language that ordinary man on the street can comprehend. He stressed further that the programme asks people from all walks of life on the awareness of their rights as contained in the Nigeria’s constitution and other laws in force in Nigeria. The young ambassador also brings lawyers to studio to educate people on the positions of law to solve legal issues that arise in listeners daily activities. Among Legal luminaries that have contributed on the programme to educate people include, Muhammad Lawal Uwais, former Chief Justice of Nigeria; Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, immediate past president of the Nigerian Bar Association; Professor Akin Oyebode, International law expert; Professor Oyelowo Oyewo, Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos; Mr. Bamidele Aturu, Human Rights Activist; Professor Ayo Atsenuwa; and Mr. Akintayo Akinola, Mr. Malachi Ugwumandu, human rights experts, among others.
In his words: “My mission and vision for this initiative is to contribute immensely to expanding the frontiers of liberty, human rights, democracy and happiness of ordinary citizens in Nigeria; to also empower Nigerians and Non-Nigerians alike on how to enforce their rights and to achieve delisting Nigeria from the list of Human rights violation countries”. The programme, ‘Know Your Constitution’ has however, empowered citizens to make legal decisions on legal matters.
Many Listeners who had land issues for example with ‘OMO ONILE’ (Land sellers), after free legal counsel on the programme now boast of valid titles over plot of lands.
The programme has also created easy access to the Lagos State Police should there be emergency and effective response from Lagos state police command to the yearning of Lagos residents. Hear him: “I invited the Lagos State Police Public Relation officer, Mr. Frank Mba, live on the programme to speak on ‘the constitutional power of the police and its duties’ and I also allowed listeners to call in live to clarify issues. During the course of the interview, people now have direct access to the police in case of emergency. The feedback so far from Lagos residents and the police gave me joy and shows direct impact on people.”
The human right crusader is, however, planning to go to many streets of Lagos State and empower its residents by giving out 50,000 copies of the Nigeria 1999 constitutions free of charge on 10th December, United Nations International Human rights day as to reduce the high percentage of ignorance of Law and encourage political participation needed from Nigerians to sustain Nigeria’s nascent democracy as Nigeria goes in to general elections in the year 2011. The award winner is seeking partnership from Individual and organizations for donations of 50,000 copies of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and two buses to move people and copies of the constitutions on the street of Lagos .
