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Adeola Austin Oyinlade

Biography

On Thursday 6th August 1981, a baby boy was born to the family of Mr. Michael Boluwaji Igbekele and Mrs. Florence Oludunni Oyinlade this Akure town of Akure South Local government area of Ondo state in Nigeria. On 13th August 1981, the baby boy was christened Adeola Bamikole Austin Oyinlade. His father was a community activist and popular Pop Corn farmer in Akure, Ondo state. His father’s braveness and activism influenced his decision to be a lawyer and social crusader. He said too that Late Chief Gani Fawehinmi opened his eyes to how to use law as a tool of problem-solving. He would not mind taking a risk to fight injustice meted at his friends, neighbors and family members while growing up in Akure here which made people around to call him in his tens ‘The Law’ meaning a lawyer.

He attended Holy Saviour Primary School, Modakeke, Osun state and Irotitun Community Primary School, Akure, Ondo state of Nigeria for his primary schools education between 1987 and 1992. He proceeded to C.A.C Adu Memorial High School, Akure Secondary Commercial School, Akure for his Senior Secondary School Education between 1993 and 1998. He sat for the first ever National Examination Council (NECO) Exam in 2000 at the Community High School, Isharun, Ondo state Mr. Oyinlade graduated from University of Lagos with a Bachelors degree in law between 2006 and 2011, and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2012 after completing his one year training at the Nigerian Law School of the Nigerian Council of Legal Education. He is currently enrolled at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Nigeria for his Masters at Law, LL.M. degree where he is taking Human Rights, International Law as his core courses.

Mr. Adeola Austin Oyinlade is a lawyer, Human Rights Advocate, founder of ‘Know Your Constitution’ Initiative, president of Constitutional Rights Awareness and Liberty Initiative and United Nations Young Ambassador for Peace. While writing his secondary school certificate examination in 1998 at Akure Secondary Commercial School, he lost his father who happened to be the bread winner of his family. He had informed his father while growing up of his ambition to study law in order to take up matters of injustice. After his father’s death, ‘life took a dramatic turn’ for him. ‘He sensed danger to his dream. Left with a shaking start in life, he ‘started fending for himself from early stage’.

‘He had freelanced for Sunshine FM, now Ondo State Radiovision Corporation (OSRC) and Positive FM, both in Akure, before his Admission into UNILAG’. Within his eight years of struggle before being admitted to study Law in UNILAG in 2006, he lamented that the rate of human rights abuse and injustice in Nigeria had become worrisome and he wanted to be an agent of social change in this regard. During his days in Akure before studying law, he was going frequently to see his then senior friend and his family lawyer, Mr. Segun Akanmode of ‘Segun Akanmode & Co’, in Akure, to understudy him how to file court processes to enforce human rights abuse.

As a law undergraduate in 2008, the Nigeria human rights records was disturbing and indexes showed by Human Rights Watch among other international human rights organizations confirmed the assertion above. Cases of human rights abuse included: abuses committed by the security services with impunity, including killings, beatings, arbitrary detention, and destruction of property and societal violence, including ethnic, regional, and religious violence. Other serious human rights problems include sporadic abridgement of citizens’ rights to change their government (political violence), politically motivated and extrajudicial killings by security forces, including summary executions among others. People were helpless in taking actions to enforce their rights while some were not even aware that they have guarantee constitutional rights during police arrest among others. This development made him to found ‘Know Your Constitution’ Initiative to contribute ‘immensely to expand the frontiers of liberty, human rights democracy and happiness of people in Nigeria’

He showed strong commitment towards solving human rights issues such as low-leveled awareness of people’s rights and empowerment via pro bono legal services for the poor to enforce their human rights in Nigeria. He is a reference in the field of human rights promotion and protection in Nigeria with working relationship with leading human rights experts across West Africa.

Through his ‘Know Your Constitution’ Project, Adeola uses radio, Social media, Mobile applications, Street campaign, conferences and free legal services to educate and empower people on their rights across Nigeria. According to him, “injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere” and not acting against human rights abuse is like “a rapist asking the victim for understanding”.

His human rights promotion and protection has been commended by the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. In a letter to him dated 11 February, 2011 the under Secretary General thanked him ‘for his organization’s work to promote understanding and awareness of human rights in Nigeria’ and was delighted to see that he used the theme “Speak UP, Stop Discrimination” which was the United Nations global theme for the Human Rights Day 2010 after watching his video documentary of his advocacy work.’.

He conveyed a 2 day Human Rights International Conference in 2011 featuring 24 national and international law experts as speakers and discussants. The list of resource persons include, Law professors, Chief Registrar, Economic Community of West African States Community Court of Justice, leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association, West African Bar Association, leadership of NGOs to empower people on their rights without any monetary charge. To give the project a legal status, enlarge its scope of operation and empowerment, he founded Constitutional Rights Awareness and Liberty Initiative (CRALI), a Non Governmental Organisation in 2012, to promote human rights and defend the defenseless.

He believes that a coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) working on human rights related issues meeting and sharing ideas and strategies to guarantee respect for human rights, rule of law and modern democracy. He was part of the resource person at the just concluded Youth Alliance for Constitution Review, a coalition of Nigerian Youth leaders that presented the Nigerian youth position to the Constitution Review Committees of the National Assembly for the ongoing constitution review in Nigeria.

His commitment to promote and protect human rights in Nigeria made African Union Commission (youth Division) to seek his expertise on promotion and enforcement of the ‘African Youth Charter’ which enshrines civil and political, socio-economic and cultural rights of the African Youth. He has also contributed his expertise on youth rights at the international level. He addressed the plenary session of the African Union’s African Youth Forum 2011 on ‘Readiness to reform National Laws and Legislation in compliance with the African Youth Charter’ in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He also spoke at 7th UNESCO Youth Forum 2011 in Paris, France on ‘Youth-led social innovation in Africa’ where he introduced his human rights project to youth leaders across the globe and called for its replication globally, UN-HABITAT and UNDP co-organized YOUTH 21 Forum 2012 in Nairobi, Kenya on ‘Intergenerational Dialogue on Africa, Youth Socio-Economic and Political Participation’ among others. On the authorization of African Union, he is currently developing mobile applications of the African Youth Charter for its popularization throughout Africa in six AU official languages; French, English, Arabic, Portuguese, Swahili, Spanish.

His volunteering years on radio came to bear when he started presenting ‘Know Your Constitution’ on UNILAG 103.1 FM, a university of Lagos radio station. The programme is being received loud and very clear by millions of radio listeners in Lagos, Nigeria. It is presented to Lagosians in simple language which is understandable to the ordinary man on the street. The programme on UNILAG 103.1 FM on Wednesdays, 12:10-1pm (Nigerian time) takes the form of a broadcast in which reputable lawyers are invited to the studio to educate people on the positions of law to solve human rights issues that arise in the listeners daily activities. Listeners call in live through dedicated lines to share constitutional rights and human rights issues that arise in their daily life activities and get response from law experts who come as guests weekly. Adeola Austin Oyinlade believes radio gives the wider coverage to empower people and asserted that “on radio, I can hear their voices, their pains and their yearnings for help”.

From November 2010 to October 2011, he coordinated the Youth arm of the maiden edition of the Kuramo Conference 2010 of the Kuramo Foundation Ltd Gte, a law and development non-profit closely affiliated with the Lagos State Government, which focuses on using law as a tool for social change. The 2010 edition had the likes of Ms Mary Robinson, Former United Nations High Commissioner of Human Rights; Mr. Jesse Jackson, Human Rights activist among other global leaders as resource persons.

He has written many articles in contribution towards debates on national and international issues such as good governance in human rights, peace and security, democracy, rule of law and the United Nations Millennium Development Goals which he has linked to the scope of Right to Development. According to him, “Right to Development is an acid test of a country democracy, good governance and human rights commitment”. He supported the United Nations campaign on MDGs. His ‘interest in and support of the United Nations’ was acknowledged and commended by the office of the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon. His UN-recognized commitment to the development of the MDGS through his writings include; ‘Millennium Development Goals; obstacles and ways of tackling them’, in 2007 ‘Contribution of Higher Institutions to achieving the Millennium Development Goals’ in 2008 and ‘importance and benefits of promoting MDGs through football tournaments’ in 2009 with a minute video linking the MDGs with the spirit of football where goals count and a call on everyone to score the goals.

Adeola is the National Deputy Director of Media and Publicity for Youth Federation for World Peace in Nigeria. YFWP is an affiliate of Universal Peace Federation, an NGO with special consultative status at the United Nations ECOSOG building a culture of peace in Nigeria. He is also the associate editor, De Quintessence, the Nigerian Law students’ journal.

He is passionate about raising other human rights activists. He has consistently mentored Nigerian youths in human rights for over 5 years, and is regularly invited to speak at youth fora within and outside Nigeria. In 2011, he was selected as the only youth judge of the prestigious annual “LEAP AFRICA Awards 2011,” the 8th Nigerian annual Youth awards after wining the 7th edition in 2010 through his ‘Know Your Constitution’ project.

In 2009, after receiving series of live calls of complaints from the people on abuse of police power and authority by some indiscipline members of the police force, he created easy access to the Lagos state police command incase of emergency and effective response from Lagos state police command to the yearning of Lagosians. He invited the then Lagos state Police commissioner represented by the then Public Relation officer, Mr. Frank Mba live on ‘Know Your Constitution on UNILAG 103.1 FM’, his radio programme to speak on 'the constitutional powers of the police and its duties' where he encouraged listeners to call in live to clarify issues on Lagos Police command activities with him. He asked for on behalf of Lagosians the hot lines of the eight police commands (police chiefs) for them to have direct access and enjoy effective response from the police incase of emergency or human rights infringement, which was disclosed to the public by Mr. Frank Mba himself during the course of the interview. The partnership worked to the confirmation of the general public with feedback to the radio programme weekly and also regular feedback received from Lagos state police command on its activities to protect lives and properties of citizens which was also made public on the show. The purported transfer of the then police command leadership from Lagos to another state received some people’s resistance and condemnation. His partnership with the police to report abuse of human rights was considered a great risk as some culprits are also in the force, but Mr. Oyinlade would ensure that the cause of justice is always upheld no matter the odds.

Moreover, his contribution to the cause of human rights will serve as lodestar for the present and next generation of young lawyers across Africa. He volunteered to do a media coverage and live broadcast of the annual African Human Rights moot court competition of Centre foe Human Rights, University of Pretoria, South Africa on his radio programme, ‘Know Your Constitution on UNILAG 103.1 FM’. The moot court competition was hosted in Nigeria by the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos in August, 2009. The moot court competition had Law students from seventy (70) law faculties across forty (40) African Countries. He engaged students from University of Ghana (Adelaide Kobiri and Justice), University of Pretoria, South Africa (Emmy Armstrong, Tracy and Christopher), among other students live on the programme on the engagement of the African Youth for promotion and Protection of Human Rights in Africa. He also interviewed and asked Lagosians to engage the Director, Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, Professor Frans Viljoen on objectives and achievements and roles of Human Right moot court competition to promote and protect Human Rights in Africa.

His commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights has given him nicknames such as ‘Human rights Activist’, ‘Social Crusader’, ‘The Law’, ‘Problem solver’ and ‘Goals getter’ by his professional colleagues. On 20th May, 2009, African Newspaper of Nigeria plc, the publisher of the Saturday Tribune (the oldest newspaper in Nigeria) named Adeola its Youth Achiever, for his contribution to National and International Development most especially for using law as a tool of problem solving. On 9th August, 2010, he was named Sunshine Youth Ambassador by the Citizen Reporters for his ‘extensive work as an advocate of people's rights and preservation of people's liberty’. The Westerner Magazine Vol.2 No.34 edition in Nigeria named Adeola ‘Face of the Future’, being a young person under thirty years old of age with numerous achievement as a social engineer. The NEXT Newspaper described him as ‘A MAN OF THE PEOPLE’ for his contribution to national and international development on 29th November, 2010.

Adeola was selected from the West Africa sub-region alongside other four young African leaders by the US Department of State for his contribution towards the development of the continent and had a special feature on the US government News Blog for Helping Nigerians to know their rights in 2011. His immense contribution to human rights has been recognised with laurels and other awards within and outside Nigeria among other national and international remarks.

HIS HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVITIES

Mr. Adeola Austin Oyinlade designed Know Your Constitution project to ask people from all walks of life on the awareness of their rights as contained in the Constitution of Nigeria, as well as other laws currently in force in Nigeria. He responds to people issues on radio, mobile apps, social network, streets campaigns, conferences and seminars.

Pro Bono Legal Services

Aside educating people on their rights as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution and other law in force in Nigeria, he is also offering free legal services via Civil Engagement and empowerment. He takes up abuse of the Youth, Women, Children and the poor’s rights who cannot afford to pay for legal services.

International Human Rights Conference 2011

He conveyed a two day International Human Rights Conference on 25th and 26th March 2011 where International lawyers empower people without any charge. The interactive, brainstorming and highly participatory conference with about two thousand (2,000) Nigerians and Non-Nigerians alike held at the Art Theatre and Afe Babalola halls respectively on 24 and 25th March, 2011 at the University of Lagos in Lagos, Nigeria. The two day human rights conference which was aired live to millions of radio listeners in Lagos on UNILAG 103.1 FM and was streamed online to millions of internet user globally via the conference official website. The activities commenced on the first day with welcome and open remarks by the convener, Mr. Adeola Austin Oyinlade. This was followed by the Chairman’s opening address. In his address, Prof Akin Oyebode, Human Rights and International law expert remarked that majority of people do not know the scope and limitations of their socio-economic, civil and political rights due to general believe that knowledge of such rights is solely the business of lawyers. However, he noted that Mr. Adeola Oyinlade had already made a strong case to reverse this thinking. He commended his courage and challenged him to take the conference further in Africa. The ECOWAS Community court of Justice President ably represented by Mr. Tony Anene-Maidoh, the court Chief Registrar delivered a paper at the plenary session titled ‘The absolute nature of the rule against discrimination under international Law, implication for the ECOWAS member states’ which had Mr. Adetokunbo Mumini, Executive Director, SERAP as a discussant. The speaker highlighted the structure, operation of ECOWAS Community Court of Justice and how people can bring issues concerning enforcement of their rights to the court.

The Second session looked at ‘The Powers and Functions of the Police vis a vis the rights of Accused person’, which had Mr. Akintayo Akinola, Human Rights expert as a speaker. This session also highlighted the rights of an accused person at the police station as provided in statutes in force in Nigeria.

Thereafter, the third session treated Political Participation: A right or a privilege’ which had the leading Human Rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria Mr. Femi Falana as a lead speaker and Mr. Malachy Ugwummadu, Mr. Akintayo Akinola as discussants. The panel concluded that by virtues of the Constitution, international treaties signed, ratified and transformed into local law by Nigeria and other law in force, Political participation is a right and the panel encouraged all participants to participate actively in the 2011 General elections which was adjudged free and fair by local and international observers. Activities for day two commenced with a session on Rights of Non-Nigerians in Nigeria’ which had Mrs. Osai Ojigho, Program Officer, Alliances for Africa as a quest speaker. She highlighted the scope of the rights of Non-Nigerians residing in Nigeria and application of those laws to their daily life activities.

The second session on ‘Alternative Dispute Resolution; Its Application to infringement of human rights’ featured Mrs. Yinka Adeyemi, Deputy Director Office of Public Defender of Lagos state as a guest speaker. The third session of the day had Professor Chioma Kanu Agomo, a former Dean, faculty of Law, University of Lagos and Commercial law expert as a lead speaker on the theme titled ‘Contracts, What I need to know and Why I need a lawyer’. Dr. Abiola Sanni, a corporate law expert served as a panelist and the session empowered participants on the elements of a contract and what they should look out for and avoid while going into any contract.

The last session had the President of the Nigerian Bar Association represented by the 1st Vice President, Mr. Ben Ukiri who spoke on ‘An Assessment of the Performance of the Bar in Human Rights enforcement in Nigeria’. The Conference closed with participants commending the convener for gathering the galaxy of leading law experts, making such conference free for them and testifying to their immediate empowerment

International Human Rights Day 2010; Empowering Lagosians with 10,000 copies of the Nigerian Constitution

On Friday 10th December, 2010, the world commemorated the international Day of human rights with the theme; SPEAK UP STOP DISCRIMINATION. The commemoration was also done in Lagos, Nigeria by Mr. Adeola Oyinlade via his ‘Know Your Constitution’ project. Adeola and his team were on the streets of Lagos to distribute a 10,000 copy of Nigerian Constitution, educate and thereby empowered Lagosians with knowledge of the constitution by demonstrating the relevance of constitutional provisions to their everyday lives. According to him, ‘It is my belief that this exercise will go a long way towards reducing the high incidence of ignorance of the beneficiaries regarding their basic rights, and will encourage political participation needed to sustain Nigeria 's nascent democracy as we go in to General elections in the year 2011’ Oyinlade said. They converged at the University of Lagos main gate in Akoka at 8am in branded t-shirts bearing the United Nations Human Rights Day, ‘Constitution for All’ covered 7 Local Government areas in the Lagos Metropolis, namely: Yaba, Bariga, Gbagada, Kosofe, Oshodi, Ikeja and Mushin. The communication was carried out through direct dialogue.

At 9:00am, the team left UNILAG for the popular Bariga market. The team proceeded to the Anthony village area of Lagos at 10:00am to meet with residents and commuters at Anthony village. The team then proceeded to meet with Drivers and commuters in Oshodi for 11:00am which saw people scrambling for just one thousand copies provided for Oshodi route. The team members who abandoned their law classes to empower people with copies of the constitution took time to explain benefits of having constitution and importance of constitutional provisions to their everyday lives copies. The team advocated constitutional rights at Ikeja under bridge and Allen Avenue at Ikeja from 12pm and there was a break between 12:30- 2pm at Allen Junction for refreshment by the team members and a brief press conference. The Team moved to Maryland and Mushin from 2-3:30pm and finally arrived at Yaba (Tejuosho market) by 4pm where copies were distributed. The team arrived back at Unilag campus by 5:00pm and was dismissed. Donation of the Nigeria’s constitution came to an end on 23rd January, 2011.

Radio UNILAG 103.1FM

The radio programme is being received very loud and clear by millions of radio listeners in Lagos, Nigeria. It is presented to Lagosians in simple language which is understandable to the ordinary man on the street. The programme which is air lived on Wednesdays on UNILAG 103.1 FM between 12:15-1pm takes the form of a broadcast in which reputable lawyers are invited to the studio to educate people on the positions of law and respond to questions to solve legal issues that arise in the listeners daily activities. Seasoned legal practitioners that have featured on this programme to date include: Justice Muhammad Lawal Uwais, Former Chief Justice of Nigeria; Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, Immediate past president of the Nigerian Bar Association; Professor Akin Oyebode, a leading expert in International law; Professor Oyelowo Oyewo, Dean of the Faculty of Law University of Lagos; Mr. Bamidele Aturu, Human Rights Activist; Mr. Akintayo Akinola, Mr. Malachi Ugwumandu, human rights experts, among others. Listeners call live to the radio programme and sms questions on Know Your Constitution Initiative dedicated lines.

Social and new media

The social media efficiency comes from the relative ease of access, the anonymity it can confer on participants, relative speed of dissemination. The general prevalence of Blackberry and other feature phones, made the facebook page of ‘Know Your Constitution’ project members to post legal questions almost every day and get them answered by Mr. Oyinlade and his volunteered team of Young legal experts. He also responds to people’s legal issues via emails; Blackberry, and twitter accounts such as @AdeolaOyinlade, @KYCInitiative and @crali_

Streets campaigns

On Friday 10th December, 2010, Mr. Oyinlade commemorated the International Human Rights Day in Lagos, Nigeria by sharing ten thousand copies of the Nigerian Constitution and demonstrating relevance of the constitutional provisions to their daily activities with the assistance of his trained volunteers. Members of the Nigerians Police force were among the beneficiaries of his humanitarian services among other subsequent street empowerment.

Conferences and seminars

He breached the age grade and seniority at the bar syndrome in his late twenties when he brought professors of law, leaders of professional legal bodies within Nigerian and West African together to empower Nigerians and Non-Nigerians alike for two days at his ‘Human Rights International Conference 2011’. Apart from the 2,000 participants at the venue, it was aired live to millions of radio listeners in Lagos on UNILAG 103.1 FM and was also streamed online to millions of internet users globally among other subsequent conferences and seminars.

Free legal services

Aside educating thousands of people on the scope and limitation of their rights, the legal services of the people’s psychological and emotional worries is coupled with a socioeconomic empowerment process to combat the social injustice and abuse which the victim might face. This non-profit initiative helps the victims to recover physically and psychologically and regain a certain measure of liberty and justice. After receiving series of complaints from the people on abuse of police power and authority by some members of the police force, he engaged the Lagos state police command for effective response to the yearning of Lagosians.

Impact of his human rights work on our lives

For restoring liberty and dignity to thousands of Nigerians by providing legal education and services; for his dedication and contribution to building a social justice; and for his profound commitment to Nigeria and Africa at large by tirelessly advocating for human rights from human wrongs, Mr. Oyinlade with his 6 lawyers and 35 volunteers have successfully responded to over 72, 229 human rights abuses and social injustice issues since 2008. While his Know Your Constitution Initiative primary objective was to educate people on their legal rights and how to solve their legal issues on a non-profit basis, it very soon became a reference centre for the survivors of social injustice. He and his team help abuse women regain the will to live by making men who absconded after putting them in family conditions to support in raising their abandoned children, secure the release of victims of police indiscriminate arrests among others. The initiative offers comprehensive legal support and advocacy to the victims of injustice.

The tireless and dedicated work of Mr. Oyinlade made him to become the first Nigerian to share a codified law (Nigeria’s Constitution) in commemoration of the Human Rights Day 2010 to the gladness and commendation of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Navanthem Pillay. He believes ‘that this exercise will go a long way towards reducing the high incidence of ignorance of the beneficiaries regarding their basic rights’. He is currently simplifying the Nigerian Constitutional Rights by making its audio versions in CD/Cassette available in the Nigerian three major Languages; Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa.

He has become a reference in the field of social justice and human rights promotion and protection in Nigeria thereby working with leading human rights experts across West Africa. In his project, he has worked with the leadership of the Economic Community of West African States Community Court of Justice, the Nigerian Bar Association, the West African Bar Association, human rights NGOs and over 100 legal practitioners. He is currently working with the leadership of the National Human Rights Commission (South West Zone) to form human rights clubs at about twenty universities in the South west Geo-political zone of Nigeria.

At the continental stage, his human rights expertise has been recognised which lead to his invitation by the African Union (Youth Division) to assist the institution in areas of promotion and enforcement of the African Youth Charter. On the authorization of African Union Commission (Youth division), he is currently developing mobile applications of the African Youth Charter for its popularization throughout Africa in six AU official languages; French, English, Arabic, Portuguese, Swahili, Spanish alongside civic engagement. . He has set up a training unit for young lawyers, law students and volunteers to enhance the quality of the empowerment offered locally to victims of human rights in Nigeria. He would ensure that the cause of justice is always upheld no matter the odds. He is unquestionably a symbol of struggle and hope, a campaigner for peace, development and social justice.

Networking/Collaborations for between 2011-2013

	African Youth Forum 2011 of the African Union Commission, African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 	Young Lawyers Conference 2011, Lagos, Nigeria

	7th UNESCO Youth Forum in Paris, France, 2011

	African Union Youth Expert meeting 2011, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

	UNDP and UNHABITAT Youth 21 Forum, Nairobi, Kenya 2012

	Youth Alliance Conference on Constitutional Review

	United Nation Alliance of Civilization Global Forum, Vienna, Austria 2013.

HIS WORDS

His words

“To be comfortable and live in Peace, you have to think of other men around you, empower others and respect their rights.”

“I want to be referred as a social engineer and a problem solver. I want to make sure that wherever I find myself, I make meaningful contribution and I make that place conducive for myself and people around me.”

“You see people being raped, you see people being molested, being mobbed, being battered, being assaulted here and there. Some will even say it has been destined that way, but the truth is that God has not destined any of us to be inferior or subjugated by our fellow men”.

“It is easier for me to reach out to millions of people. On Radio, I can hear their voices, their pains and their yearning for help”.

“We educate Nigerians about law in a simple language in a way that ordinary man on the street can understand, because ignorance is not a defense in a law court.”

“Youths can be change makers by providing solution to a problem no matter their background. If we fold our hands, wait for government or parents to do everything, our generation will be blamed for it. The world has recognised the place of the youths and is looking up to us to find solutions to our problems”.

“Injustice any where is injustice every where”,  via his twitter account on state of injustice in Nigeria

“Right to have improved quality of life is a right to development. Right to development is the acid test of a country democracy”. On the commemoration of Nigeria’s Democracy Day on May 29, 2013

“I will never support war irrespective of what it intends to achieve. I am a student of history. War brings no justice but horror” When the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) issued a press statement to embark on crusade (attack) Mosque, hajj camps, Islamic events to save Christians in Nigeria against the killing of Christians by the Boko Haram in Nigeria.

Remarks made by others about Him

“Dear Mr. Oyinlade, Thank you very much for………….your organization’s work to promote understanding and awareness of human rights in Nigeria. ……..concerning your Human Rights Day activities, I am delighted to see that you used the theme “Speak UP, Stop Discrimination” which was our global theme for the Day and thank you so much for sending the DVD showing what you did. I congratulate you and wish you every success in your continuing advocacy work”. Extract of Ms Navanthem Pillay, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights’ message to Adeola Oyinlade signed on 11 February, 2011.

“Adeola. I am immensely proud of those like you in your generation that are determined to surpass our record by pursuing purpose. keep at it and may the Lord bless you always”. A message sent by Mrs Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili, the then World Bank Vice President for the Africa Region, on facebook to Adeola Austin Oyinlade on Saturday 28th November, 2009.

“I am so impressed seeing a young Adeola promoting and protecting Human Rights in Nigeria. Our support and encouragement informed my coming here to honour his invitation on behalf of the President of ECOWAS Community court of Justice”. A statement by Mr. Anene-Maidoh, Chief Registrar, ECOWAS Community Court of Justice at the International Human Rights Conference 2011 in Lagos, Nigeria

“My dear brother, congratulations on this feat of yours. This no doubt is well deserving for a youth who is daily striving to improve his community and society through qualitative contributions. You are a role model for those youths who positively yearn for a better Nigeria. CONGRATULATIONS.” A congratulatory message from the veteran Journalist and two time Chairman of Nigerian Union of Journalists, Lagos state chapter, Mrs. Funke Fadugba on Monday, June 1, 2009 when Tribune Newspapers, oldest Newspaper in Nigeria of the African Newspaper of Nigeria PLC named Adeola its youth Achiever on 30th May, 2009.

RECOGNITIONS/AWARDS

•	Nigeria’s most Informative Newspaper; Saturday Tribune printed and published by the African  Newspaper of Nigeria PLC named Adeola Austin Oyinlade its Youth Achiever on May 30, 2009; published on   page 39 of 30 May, 2009 edition of the Oldest Newspaper in Nigeria.

•	Commissioned as the United Nations-UPF/YFWP Young Ambassador for Peace, 15th May, 2010;

•	 On 7th August, 2010, CITIZEN Reporters named Adeola Austin Oyinlade Sunshine Youth Ambassador for his Initiative, KNOW YOUR CONSTITUTION where the online magazine reported that '....he has worked extensively as a radio presenter using his talent to advocate for people's rights and a preservation of their liberty'.

•	Commissioned as Nigeria Leadership Initiative Associate, October, 2010;

•	On Tuesday 21st November, 2010 Adeola Austin Oyinlade was named ‘A MAN OF THE PEOPLE’ by NEXT NEWSPAPERS for his contribution to national and international development;

•	Adeola won through his ‘Know Your Constitution’ Initiative LEAP AFRICA (Leadership, Effectiveness, Accountability and Professionalism) Awards 2010.

•	29th November, 2010,The Westerner Magazine Vol.2 No.34 edition in Nigeria named Adeola ‘Face of the Future’

•	The United States department of State Commendation and publication on Know Your Constitution Initiative Founder for using law and technology to help Nigerians to know their rights. May 2011.

•	Top 12ver, National Youth Awards 2011 (By Young Stars Development Foundation and Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Abuja Nigeria).