UNILAG Law Undergraduate Honoured at LEAP AFRICA Awards

By Olaitan Balogun


University of Lagos (UNILAG) law student, Adeola Austin Oyinlade, who is also the presenter of a programme, Know Your Constitution, on UNILAG 103.1 FM radio station,  has won this year 7th Annual Nigerian Youth Leadership Awards of LEAP AFRICA. Leadership, Effectiveness, Accountability & Professionalism ( LEAP ) Africa is a nonprofit organisation 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,  was yesterday, Thursday 11th November, 2010,  presented the 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 is a radio programme being presented to Lagosian in a simple language that ordinary man on the street can comprehend.  According to Adeola, ‘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; 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 empower Nigerians and Non-Nigerians alike on how to enforce their rights and to achieve Nigeria been delisted from the list of Human rights violation countries". The programme has however empowered Lagosian to make legal decisions on legal matters. Many Listeners who had land issues for example with 'OMO ONILE' after free legal counsel on the programme now boast of valid titles over plot of lands bought when it was established on the programme that reliance only on receipts from the family that sell plots of land gives buyers 'equitable title' not 'Legal title title' until such Land is perfected, it will not stop being subjected to court litigations and fraudulent extortion from sellers most especially when such plots are sold to more than a buyer.

Sill on the impact of the programme, it has created easy access to the Lagos state police incase of emergency and effective response from Lagos state police command to the yearning of Lagosians. Adeola said ‘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. I asked for on behalf of Lagosians direct phone contacts of all 8 police commandas in Lagos state which was disclosed to the public by Mr. Mba himself during the course of the interview so that people can have direct access to the police in case of emergency. The feedback so far from Lagosians and the police gave me joy the programme is having direct impact on people.’

The human right crusader is planning to go to many streets of Lagos and empower Lagosians by giving out 50,000 copies of the 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 streets of Lagos .