PROLIFIC SUNDAY PEOPLE: MEET THE LAWYER, POET AND AUTHOUR CALLED ANTOINETTE-RITA OPEYEMI
“To be realistic today
is to be visionary. To be realistic is to be starry-eyed”- Hubert H. Humphrey
PROFILE BY CERUTTI MEDIA GROUP
Antoinette-Rita
Opeyemi Okoiye can best be tagged as a visionary lady and pride of the black
race. Though a Commercial Barrister who originated from London, England. She completed her LL.M Master in Laws at the
University of Chicago Law School in June 2014-graduated from The London School
of Economics and Political Science in July 2012 and have been called to the Bar
of England and Wales is not a run of mill lady
She IS a tested poet of over 700 poems, an author of two books,
a song-writer of over 200 songs, and a motivational speaker to the youth.NOW AFTER A
LONG SEARCH, she obliged us an exclusive audience and talks of her life and
dreams, no doubt, she is lady that our today's ladies must look up-to for inspiration,
enjoy the excerpt
PLEASE
FOR BENEFIT OF HISTORY, LET US KNOW A BIT ABOUT YOU
With
respect and humility, my name is Antoinette-Rita Opeyemi Okoiye and I am a Commercial
Barrister originated from London, England. I completed my LL.M Master in Laws at
the University Of Chicago Law School in June 2014. I graduated from The London School of Economics and Political
Science in July 2012 and I have been called to the Bar of England and
Wales. I am also a Commercial and Civil Law Mediator. Not only am I a trainee
barrister in England and Wales, but I am a poet of over 700 poems, an author of
two books, a song-writer of over 200 songs, and a motivational speaker to the
youth. Antoinette-Rita is the President and Founder of Antoinette-Rita’s
Education, Empowerment & Leadership Initiatives, a platform to Facilitate collaboration and
partnership in the area of education, empowerment and leadership, promoting the
growth, development and skills to people.
WAS ALL YOUR QUALIFICATION GOTTEN BY SELF EFFORT OR GOVERNMENT SUPPORT?
Before
studying at LSE, I was
awarded a New Futures Fund scholarship based on my 3 A-Level results in
Economics, English Literature and History, and, my GCSEs of 6A*s and 4As. I was
a young carer to my mother who has polio from the age of seven until I started
university in England. I have received numerous awards for my accomplishments
such as: Young Poet award in Florida in 2004 via the International Society of
Poets, I came third place in an Institute of Economic Affairs competition in
2008, I won the Academic Excellence Award 2011
from the National African-Caribbean Student Society Awards, and, I won the Spirit of London
Award for Achievement through the Arts 2011 courtesy of SOLA and the Damilola
Taylor Trust, held at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall. I also received the Jack Petchey Achievement Award
for outstanding achievement at Sea Cadets during the month of February 2003.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PUBLISHED WORKS
I
have published two poetry publications entitled Purple & Blue – Inspirational Poems and the Blue Ocean – Peace, Power, Prosperity (Volume 1). I was also
recognised as one of 100 of the UK’s most outstanding new black graduates
courtesy of Future Leaders which was sponsored by Barclays, Google, University
of Cambridge and Rolls-Royce in 2012, and, I won the PEN Award courtesy of
Powerlist Ireland which recognises the 100 most influential Africans in Ireland
and the United Kingdom in September 2012.
With
my accomplishments, I have made a positive impact in terms of developing my
skills, qualities, potential and ability, encouraging others around me
especially those who have been in my position, but most of all, making my
mother, who has polio and raised me single-handedly, proud. This included
organising and hosting my music concert at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential
Library Complex (Theatre) in August 2011 where 500 people attended to watch me
perform my own songs, dance and recite my poetry.
DID
EX PRIME MINISTER CAMERON TRULY PAID ACCOLADES TO YOU ON YOUR WORKS?
In
truth, Mr. Prime Minister, David Cameron, has expressed a
fondness for my books in writing and when I met him inside 10 Downing Street on
Monday 19th September 2011 (my actual twenty-first birthday). As a
result of my success in poetry, music and academic attainment, Her Royal
Majesty, The Queen of England, Elizabeth II, has written two letters to me,
acknowledging and praising my achievements. I have received other letters from
members of the Royal Family such as: The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales
and the Duchess of Cornwall and The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
TELL
US ABOUT YOUR FIRST BOOK LAUNCH
As
part of my work, on Monday 17th October
2011, I held a book launch of my second publication, The Blue Ocean, at The
International Hotel in Canary Wharf, London where His Excellency, Former
President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, attended as Chief Launcher and
His Excellency, Dr. Dalhatu Tafida, Nigerian High Commissioner to the UK
attended as Special Guest of Honour. Pictures of my book launch can be viewed
online from my website: www.harmony-creation.com. Other
guests included:
·
The Right Honourable
Mayor of Waltham Forest, Councillor Geoff Walker
·
His Excellency
Ambassador Dozie Nwanna (Nigerian Deputy High Commissioner to the UK)
·
His Excellency Paul
Akaro (South Sudan High Commissioner to the UK)
·
His Excellency
Nkwelle Ekaney (Cameroon High Commissioner to the UK)
·
His Excellency Edward
Turay (Sierra Leone High Commissioner to the UK)
As
part of my Pro-Bono projects in the UK, since April 2013, I am a FRU Volunteer
at the Free Representation Unit, providing free legal advice and advocacy to members
of the community. I won my first case on 30 April 2013. Additionally, I was a
Group Leader at Big Voice London for the International Law Group which works in
conjunction with the Supreme Court of England and Wales. Big Voice teaches a
group of youngsters about the UK legal system and focuses on bringing the
voices of young people into legal policy. In particular, the International Law
Group have been focussing on CEDAW, human rights and women’s rights. I also
went to Geneva to visit the United Nations in July 2013 where the UK government
was examined on its implementation of CEDAW.
WHAT
ROLE HAVE YOU PLAYED IN NIGERIA LITERARY WORLD?
In
Nigeria, I have piloted the use of poetry, creative writing, reading and music
workshops and seminars as development methods for students, especially for
those from SS1 to SS3 with support of the teaching fraternity in Ogun State,
Nigeria with three Secondary Schools in Aiyetoro, Ogun State: (1) Alaye
High School (2) Community High School (3)
Comprehensive High School with over 400 students. The response to the
series of workshops was very encouraging. The teachers, principals and students
recommended that the workshop should be delivered at other educational institutions.
As a result, I have received approval from the Ministry of Education of Ogun
State, Nigeria and from the Director of Education Support Services of Ogun
State, Nigeria in which I am permitted to go around all Secondary Schools in
Ogun State to implement the workshops. The vision is to promote a reading
culture, a love for poetry, a passion for writing and inspire the children to
become writers and authors themselves, thus developing the creative, artistic
and publishing sector of their economy and their community. As part of my
writing, my article, ‘Has the European
Court of Human Rights developed a coherent and convincing approach to the issue
of offensive expression?’ has been included in BPP Law School’s Human
Rights Journal 2013. Moreover, I won the NUBAA 2013 Nigerian UK Based Writer
Award in September 2013. The Nigerian UK Based Achievers Award (NUBAA) is the
pinnacle for the celebration and recognition of leadership, achievements,
entrepreneurship, innovation and excellence. It is also a celebration of the
Nigerian people, our culture, diversity and the true Nigerian values that bind
us together as a nation.
Summary
Antoinette-Rita
is an accomplished author, poet, songwriter and public speaker. She was called
to the Bar of England and Wales and a Civil and Commercial Law Mediator.
Antoinette-Rita
completed her LL.B in Law at The London
School of Economics and Political Science in 2012, her Bar Professional
Training Course at BBP Law School
(London) in 2013, and she completed her LL.M Master in Law at The University of Chicago Law School in
2014.
Her
accolades and recognition trickle down from Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, to
Mr. Prime Minister David Cameron, and, President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Antoinette-Rita has piloted creative writing and reading workshops for students
and has been published in legal journals. Her Mother, Rev. Clothilda Kehinde
Adeogo, is the President of Enhancement Centre for People with Disabilities, a
non-governmental organization that supports the lives of disabled people.
Antoinette-Rita’s work and journey encourages many generations who have been in
her position. She wishes to inspire others to overcome their challenges, stay
focused and determined, and enjoy reach their every potential in life.
A
number of her awards include:
- Young
Poet Award courtesy of The International Society of Poets
- Third
place in an Institute of Economic Affairs treatise competition
- Academic
Excellence Award courtesy of The National African-Caribbean Student
Society Awards
- The
Spirit of London Award for Achievement through the Arts courtesy of The
Damilola Taylor Trust
- Writers’
Achievers Award courtesy of The Nigerian UK Based Achievers Award
- The
PEN Award courtesy of Powerlist Ireland
- Future
Leaders Award
- Honorary
from Miss Africa USA Organization
- Achievement
in Education Award courtesy of Panache Global Entertainment
- The
Jack Petchey Award for services in The Sea Cadets
Contact
Number: +447538706407 and +2348077286901
and + (312)-753-9213
Email
Address: antoinette-rita@harmony-creation.com and antoinette.rita@hotmail.co.uk
Website: www.harmony-creation.com
Facebook: Antoinette Rita and
Antoinette-Rita (Writer Page)
*· A
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