Adenike Dasola Oyetunde-Lawal, professionally known as Adenike Oyetunde (born March 5, 1986) is a Nigerian media personality, radio host, author, lawyer, social media influencer and life coach. She is the founder of Amputees United Initiative and The Gratitude Hub. In 2021, she was appointed by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as the senior special assistant on persons living with disability.[1]

Adenike Oyetunde
Adenike Oyetunde in an interview at NdaniTV in 2017
BornMarch 5, 1986 (1986-03-05) (age 38)
NationalityNigerian
EducationNigerian Law School
Alma materOlabisi Onabanjo University
Occupation(s)Media personality, Radio host, Author and Gratitude Coach
Years active2010-present
Known forMedia, social media influencing, life coaching, book reading and amputee advocate
Spouse
Sherif Lawal
(m. 2020)

Early life

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Adenike was born in 1986 to homemaker Bukola Victoria Oyetunde and public servant Adelani Olarere Oyetunde.[2] She had her primary school education from Command Children school and her secondary education at Queen's college, Lagos.[3] Adenike obtained a degree in Law from Olabisi Onabanjo University. While at the University, after a slip and fall accident, Adenike was diagnosed with bone cancer. After several treatment options were explored, doctors eventually advised that she would need to have her leg amputated in order to save her life.[4] At the age of 20, her right leg was amputated.[5] After graduating from University, she attended the Nigerian Law School, graduating with a 2nd class upper degree in 2010 and was called to the Nigerian Bar.[6]

 
Oyetune on NdaniTV's Real Talk hosted by Nicole Asinugo (left)

Career

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Adenike obtained a part-time job as a broadcaster, with 99.3 Nigeria Info FM, which was eventually expanded to a full time role.[5] In no time, Adenike began hosting a five-hour weekday show, where she discussed a wide range of subjects from politics to lifestyle.[6] Oyetunde offered free legal council on the radio, although she was not practicing law at the time.[7] Adenike is also a regular contributor on Smooth 98.1 FM's news commentary show, Freshly Ground.

Adenike founded the Amputees United Initiative on which platform, she advocates for the rights of amputees and other persons living with disability.[5] She also does volunteer work with Irede Foundation, a non-government organization that works with children, who have suffered limb loss, providing them with prosthetic limbs up till they are 18 years old.[8]

In 2017 she gave a talk about Philanthropy and the Role of Empathy in the Human Society at TedX Gbagada in Lagos.[9]

In 2018, Adenike wrote and published her self-titled autobiography, Adénìké.[10] The book has enjoyed rave reviews, with Business Day's Titilade Oyemade, espousing its inspirational content and concluding "You will feel inspiration wash over you as you read this book, filled with hope you can use to overcome challenges and achieve fulfillment in your life."[11]

In January 2021, the Lagos state government announced that the governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu had confirmed the appointment of Adenike as the Senior Special Assistant on Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWDs) in recognition of her work as a Programme Manager, Ambassador, Volunteer and Fundraiser on Irede Foundation’s Amputees United Initiative since 2018.[12]

Personal life

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On December 5, 2020, Adenike married her longtime boyfriend and fellow broadcast journalist, Sherif Lawal in an intimate ceremony in Lagos.[13]

References

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  1. ^ "Introducing the Newly Appointed SSA on Persons Living With Disability - Adenike Oyetunde". BellaNaija. Archived from the original on 2021-02-08. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  2. ^ "Adenike Oyetunde is providing a safe space..." Konbini. Archived from the original on 2017-03-09. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  3. ^ Popoola, Temitope. "I had my best result in the university the year my leg got amputated- Adenike Oyetunde shares her beautiful story". Legit.ng. Archived from the original on 2019-12-08. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  4. ^ Chima, Chidi. "Impossible is nothing to Adenike Oyetunde, the amputee OAP who climbed Olumo Rock". thecable.ng. Archived from the original on 2017-03-26. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  5. ^ a b c "Adenike Oyetunde: I've continued to push and live intentionally..." The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2019-02-09. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  6. ^ a b "Adenike Oyetunde". Event / Speaker Platform. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  7. ^ "We must continue to fight for more — Adenike Oyetunde". Vanguard News. 2020-03-30. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  8. ^ "Being an amputee has opened doors for me –Adenike Oyetunde". Punch News. 2017-02-27. Retrieved 2021-02-27.
  9. ^ "Adenike Oyetunde". Ake Festival. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  10. ^ Oyetunde, Adenike (2019-01-08). Adénìké: Her Story, Your Movie, His Glory. Independently Published. ISBN 978-1-7932-3581-7.
  11. ^ "The Power of Hope – A Review of Adenike Oyetunde's Adénìké - Your Story, Your Movie, His Glory". Business Day News. 2021-01-02. Retrieved 2021-02-27.
  12. ^ "SANWO-OLU APPROVES APPOINTMENT OF GENERAL MANAGER LASBCA, SSA ON PERSONS LIVING WITH DISABILITIES". Lagos State Government Website. 2020-03-30. Retrieved 2021-02-27.
  13. ^ "Adenike Oyetunde Marries Lover - Lawal". PM News. 2020-12-07. Retrieved 2021-02-27.


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