L-R: Moyo Akinyosoye, Business Executive, Institutional Banking, Sterling Bank; Zuriel Oduwole, Youth Envoy/Nobel Peace Prize Nominee; Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Executive Governor, Lagos State; Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO, Sterling One Foundation; and Ifeoluwa Elegbede, Communication Lead, Sterling One Foundation, during a courtesy visit to the Lagos State Governor’s Office to discuss youth empowerment, gender equality, and the need for sustained action in creating opportunities for young leaders.

Lagos, Nigeria – Nobel Peace Prize nominee Zuriel Oduwole and Sterling One Foundation have emphasized the need for gender equality and youth empowerment during a courtesy visit to the Lagos State Governor’s Office, where discussions focused on sustained action in creating opportunities for young leaders.

At just 22 years old, Oduwole is the youngest Nigerian ever nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and the first to be recognized in this category.

Her global advocacy in education, gender equality, and youth inclusion has influenced policies and engaged key decision-makers across multiple countries.

Sterling One Foundation, through its investment in social impact across critical sectors, has mainstreamed gender equality and women’s empowerment across all its initiatives, ensuring that young women and girls have access to the resources, platforms, and opportunities needed to thrive.Speaking on the Foundation’s commitment to gender equality and women empowerment, Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO, Sterling One Foundation, highlighted the importance of telling African stories and driving impact through intentional programming, while also reflecting on this year’s International Women’s Day theme, Accelerate Action.”

At Sterling One Foundation, we are intentional about telling African stories that reflect the strength and potential of our people.

This is evident in our focus areas and programming, where we have deliberately mainstreamed gender equality and women’s empowerment.

This aligns with the call to ‘Accelerate Action’ this International Women’s Day, reinforcing the urgency of breaking barriers for women and girls.

We are proud of Zuriel Oduwole for amplifying these values on the global stage, and we remain committed to creating an environment where young changemakers, especially women and girls, have the support and opportunities they need to lead and succeed.”During the visit, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu recognized Oduwole’s contributions and her historic Nobel Peace Prize nomination, describing it as a milestone for Nigeria and the African continent.”

This achievement reflects the resilience and determination of our people. In the past five years, we have faced COVID-19, economic challenges, and instability, yet we have continued to create opportunities for young Nigerians in technology, finance, and entertainment.

The THEMES Plus agenda reinforces our commitment to inclusion and youth empowerment. Lagos is proud to support Zuriel’s journey and work with the Sterling One Foundation to expand opportunities for the next generation.”

Oduwole also emphasized the power of storytelling in driving social change:”I have seen the power of storytelling in changing perceptions and opening doors for young people. When we share our stories, we inspire action. I am grateful to our partners for amplifying young voices and creating opportunities that make a real difference.”Her remarks highlight the role of storytelling in influencing narratives that drive meaningful change. By amplifying diverse voices and ensuring that young people, especially women and girls, have platforms to be heard, storytelling becomes a powerful tool for influencing policies, shifting mindsets, and creating lasting impact in communities. The need for sustained efforts to support and invest in these platforms has never been more critical.

The Sterling One Foundation remains committed to driving sustainable change through strategic interventions that create lasting impact in gender equality, youth empowerment, and social developmentAbout Sterling One FoundationSterling One Foundation (SOF) is a registered non-profit focused on tackling the root causes of poverty in Nigeria, and Africa through interventions and social impact programmes across five critical sectors namely: climate action, health, education and youth development, gender equality and empowerment, and food security.

The Foundation’s programmes adopt a central theme of prioritizing partnerships for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For more information visit onefoundation.ngIfeoluwa ElegbedePublic Relations, Sterling One Foundation

In the competitive landscape of Nigeria’s real estate industry, Dr. Shakirat Ayobami emerges as a formidable leader and innovative force. As the founder and driving force behind White Rose Properties, she has successfully carved out a distinct niche for herself in a sector that has historically been dominated by men. Her journey is a testament to resilience, marked by her unwavering determination to overcome challenges and break through the barriers that often hinder women’s progress in such fields.

Dr Ayobami’s strategic mindset and sharp business acumen have been pivotal in elevating her company to unprecedented heights, allowing it to thrive despite fierce competition. Her achievements reflect not only her hard work and dedication but also serve as a powerful challenge to societal stereotypes that often discourage women from pursuing ambitious careers. Despite facing scepticism and criticism from some quarters, her success stands as a beacon for aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly women, in Nigeria. Through her leadership and commitment to excellence, Dr. Ayobami is reshaping the future of the real estate sector.

Starting her career as a property realtor, Dr. Ayobami embodies the “girl child can do spirit,” which champions resilience, determination, and hard work. With years of experience that have transformed her ideas into stunning condominiums and homes that enrich the skylines of Lagos, she has remained steadfastly connected to her humble beginnings. Her journey has been one of grit; having faced significant challenges before reaching the pinnacle of the real estate business, she now owns properties in prime locations across Lagos and has built a loyal clientele. This loyalty stems from her meticulous attention to detail and her passion for delivering exceptional quality in every project.

In her commitment to giving back to society, Dr. Ayobami recently established The White Rose Foundation, a non-governmental organization dedicated to supporting abandoned children whose families can no longer afford their educational needs. Over the years, her deep sense of social responsibility has driven her to pay school fees for vulnerable children, an effort that has cost her millions of Naira. As demand for assistance grew, she decided to channel the proceeds from her business to expand her charitable efforts, ensuring that more beneficiaries could benefit from her foundation’s initiatives. In celebration of her 40th birthday, she aims to touch more lives through educational grants, reflecting her desire to empower youth and create a brighter future.

In contrast to many of her peers who might host extravagant parties to mark such milestones, Dr Ayobami has chosen to adopt over 100 vulnerable children in each state across the nation to benefit from her scholarship scheme. This initiative is designed to empower them and offer them a more promising future. She plans to initiate the selection process in her home state of Osun and subsequently extend it to Lagos State, where she resides.

“The desire to establish a charity organization stems from my own experiences as a woman, which have shaped my perspective on life,” Dr. Ayobami explains. “I recognize that to break the cycle of adversity that I endured while growing up, I must ensure that others have access to the educational opportunities I once fought for. My educational scheme is not just about empowerment; it is about opening doors to new possibilities for these children in the future.” With her unwavering vision and commitment to social change, Dr Shakirat Ayobami is making a profound impact, one life at a time.

Justice doesn’t always work fairly when faced with power, bias, or red tape, but Barrister Olakunle Abiodun Afolabi stands out as a voice for those who aren’t heard. With ten years of court experience, Afolabi has become known for defending human rights, working with constitutional law, and giving hope to people caught in Nigeria’s complex legal system.
Afolabi’s path comes from hard work, not luck. He graduated with honours from Lagos State University with both his law degree and diploma, then trained at the Nigerian Law School before starting a career full of impressive legal achievements. Beyond his education, he has certificates from the Mandela Institute for death penalty defence and leadership training from Rise Networks, showing his dedication to justice and doing his best work.

But it is in the courtroom where Afolabi truly shines. Licensed to practice across all 36 states and the FCT, he has become synonymous with high-stakes litigation, defending clients in cases that test the very fabric of Nigeria’s legal and moral framework.

Afolabi’s portfolio reads like a chronicle of modern Nigeria’s legal battles. From securing the freedom of EndSARS protesters like Clement Igbudu and Adeniyi Adeyemi—wrongfully incarcerated for demanding accountability—to defending journalists under siege for upholding press freedom, his work transcends mere litigation; it is a crusade for societal equity.

In criminal defense, Afolabi’s prowess is unmatched. He has stood fearlessly against charges of murder, armed robbery, and cybercrimes, dismantling flimsy prosecutions with forensic precision. Take the case of Gabriel Sowunmi, accused of cybercrime and human trafficking: Afolabi’s meticulous dissection of evidence exposed procedural malpractices, leading to an acquittal that reverberated across Nigeria’s legal community.

His civil law victories are equally staggering. Representing giants like Huawei Technologies and MTN Nigeria, he navigates corporate labyrinths with ease, while his debt recovery triumphs for entities like Dangote Agrosacks, showcase his versatility. Yet, it is his pro bono work with Avocats Sans Frontières France (Lawyers Without Borders) that reveals his core: providing free legal aid to victims of torture by security agencies, ensuring accountability under Nigeria’s Anti-Torture Act 2017.

Afolabi’s specialization in human rights and constitutional law is not merely professional—it is personal. As the head of the ProCAT and eRIGHTS initiative in Lagos, he has spearheaded efforts to combat police brutality, secure reparations for survivors, and challenge systemic impunity. “The law is not a shield for the powerful,” he asserts. “It is a sword for the oppressed.”

His advocacy extends to labor rights, where he champions fair treatment for workers and trade unions, and media law, where he battles censorship to protect journalistic freedom. Each case he undertakes—whether defending a wrongfully accused individual or challenging unconstitutional policies—is a brick in the edifice of a more just Nigeria.

Afolabi’s success is rooted in an unshakable ethos: integrity, resilience, and an insatiable hunger for knowledge. A skilled draftsman and orator, he combines legal acumen with technological savvy—a rarity in a profession often resistant to change. His leadership at Kunle Afolabi LP, where he mentors young lawyers and oversees complex litigations, reflects his belief in nurturing the next generation of advocates.

Colleagues describe him as “a thinker who outworks everyone in the room” and “a strategist who turns legal battles into masterclasses.” Yet, beneath the accolades lies a man driven by empathy. “Every client’s freedom,” he says, “is a thread in the tapestry of justice we must weave for our nation.”

With a track record that includes appellate court victories and groundbreaking human rights rulings, Afolabi shows no signs of slowing down. His eyes are set on expanding access to justice through tech-driven legal solutions and deepening collaborations with global bodies like the African Bar Association.

As Nigeria grapples with challenges to democracy and human rights, Afolabi’s role as a legal sentinel becomes ever more critical. His journey—from the courtrooms of Lagos to international advocacy—hints at a future where his influence could reshape legislative frameworks or even ascend to the bench.

Olakunle Abiodun Afolabi is more than a lawyer; he is a institution. A defender of the marginalized, a corporate strategist, and a human rights icon, he embodies the rare brilliance that transcends legal practice to ignite societal change. With each case, he redefines what it means to wear the wig and gown.

As the sun sets over Lagos, casting long shadows over its crowded streets, one truth remains clear: the prospects of Olakunle Abiodun Afolabi are not just great—they are boundless. For in his hands, the law is not merely a profession. It is a revolution.

Contact Barrister Olakunle Abiodun Afolabi:

Phone: +234 8028300421, 07039900923 | Email: kunleafolabilp@gmail.com | Website: kunleafolabilp.com

Location: 49 Lawson Street, Onikan, Lagos Island, Lagos State.