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. In November 2018, she was called to Bar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
Antoinette Rita Opeyemi is a Commercial Barrister originated from London, England. She completed her LL.M Master in Laws at the University of Chicago Law School in June 2014 after graduated from The London School of Economics and Political Science in July 2012 and have been called to the Bar of England and
Wales. She is also a Commercial and Civil Law Mediator. Not only a training barrister in
England and Wales, but called to Bar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in November, 2018 and poet of over 700 poems, an author of three books, a song-writer of over 200 songs, and a motivational
speaker to the youth.
Before studying at London School of Economics, she was awarded a New Futures Fund scholarship based on her 3 A-Level results in Economics, English Literature
and History, and her GCSEs of 6A*s and 4As. She was a young carer to her mother who has polio from the age of seven until she started university in England. Barrister Antoinette have
received numerous awards for her accomplishments such as: Young Poet award
in Florida in 2004 via the International Society of Poets, she came third place in an Institute of Economic Affairs competition in 2008, she won the Academic Excellence Award 2011 from the National African- Caribbean Student
Society Awards, and 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. She also received the Jack Petchey
Achievement Award for outstanding achievement at Sea Cadets during the month of February 2003.
Furthermore, she have published two
poetry
publications entitled Purple & Blue – Inspirational Poems and The Blue Ocean – Peace, Power, Prosperity (Volume 1). She 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 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 her accomplishments, she have made a positive impact in terms of developing her skills, qualities, potential and ability,
encouraging others around her especially those who have been in her position,
but most of all, making her mother, who has polio and raised her single-
handedly, proud and this included organising and hosting her music concert at the
Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Complex (Theatre) in August 2011
where over 1,500 people attended to watch her performing her own songs, dance and
recite poetry.
Additionally, Mr. Prime Minister, David Cameron, has expressed a fondness
for her books in writing and when she met him inside 10 Downing Street on Monday 19th September 2011 (her actual twenty-first
birthday). As a result of her 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.
As part of her work, on Monday 17th October 2011, she 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. 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) and His Excellency Edward Turay (Sierra Leone High
Commissioner to the UK)
As part of her Pro-Bono projects in the UK, since April 2013, she is a FRU Volunteer at the Free Representation Unit, providing free legal advice and advocacy to members of the community. She won her first case on 30 April 2013. Additionally, she 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. She also went to Geneva to visit the United Nations in July 2013 where the UK government was examined on its
implementation of CEDAW.
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 she
was 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 her writing, 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, she 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, culture, diversity and the true Nigerian values that bind us together as a nation.
Antoinette’s third book is a sterling account on the life of the former First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Mrs. Stella Obasanjo.
Antoinette-Rita has crafted this fine piece of literature and illustrated the life of an inspirational woman who showed admirable
courage, dedication and honor during her lifetime. Mrs. Stella Obasanjo was very
gifted and she acquired unparalleled and incomparable mastery of strength in every aspect of her life. The book is an exemplary instrument that reveals the genuine legacy of
Mrs. Stella Obasanjo. Her memory and her journey lives on through every page of this grand book.
Antoinette-Rita has brought many cultures together in this book to create a
thought-provoking composition on a life that is greatly missed. From Nigeria, to Uganda, from to United Kingdom to the United States of America, the list goes on. Mrs. Stella Obasanjo would see this as an extraordinary
tribute on her remarkable life.
Let this book be viewed as a display of Antoinette-Rita’s talent and her ability to educate the masses to give back to the communities of which they are a part of. If you see your neighbor in need, remember Mrs. Stella Obasanjo and let it grant you a heart to give and assist freely. This is a
token of appreciation to recognize the love we have instilled in all of us.
Antoinette-Rita, is a mosaic that must be appreciated by all generations, backgrounds, cultures and creeds
TMnews
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