Headline

Fashanu, Dolapo Awosika and Prophet Controversy: The Complete Story

Published

6 years ago

November 10, 2018

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

In the recent past, the social media has been agog with the supposed co-habitation of one Dolapo Awosika, ex-wife of Nigerian-born former international footballer, John Fashanu, and her alleged lover, Muhideen Kasali, who is also said to be a prophet.

The report goes that the estranged wife of the former footballer, who is also a British citizen and has two children with Fashanu, abandoned her matrimonial home, and ran after a supposed prophet, whom she allegedly met while on a prayer mission in Oyo State.

The report further alleged that the said Prophet Kasali kept her against her will under an influence, which has also made her sell her house in Banana Island, and chose to live with the Prophet in a remote corner of Oyo devoid of modernity.

Dolapo Awosika was thoroughly painted black in the report, with some part alleging that she goes to pray ith the intention of trapping men, among whom is the richest man in Africa, who she allegedlt had a daughter with – a child she reportedly foisted on John Fashanu.

However, in a swift response, Fashanu, through his media team, dissociated himself from the reports, saying that he is a man of honour, and will not descend to the level of throwing stones. He described the report as ‘unscrupulous and malicious content emanating from those drowning and seeking cheap and undeserving fame’. He added that no matter the paternity of the girl in question, he still loves her.

The statement read in part: “This hineous rumour is coming as a calculated distraction at the time the BIG FASH is busy with tours and projects around the world to put smiles on the faces of millions in need, but he will remain unruffled and undeterred from his course. WHETHER THE GIRL IN QUESTION IS BIOLOGICALLY MY DAUGHTER OR NOT, I LOVE HER.

“To the fans and general public, kindly disregard all such news only built on falsehood, social greed, intellectual imbecility and pathological irresponsibility on the part of their promulgators and publishers. They are misleading and only a reflection of emotional drought and sensual starvation.

The statement added that the United Nations Ambassador is very busy at the moment, but at the appropriate time, if need be, he will grant personal interviews and voice cast!

Meanwhile, the lady in the eye of the storm, Dolapo Awosika, has dismissed the story of her running to live with a prophet as lovers, saying it was a calculated attempt by a detractor to ridicule her, adding that the effort has succeeded in making her more popular contrary to expectation.

She bared her mind in a radio interview via phone as recorded below, calling out a certain Mr. Soji as the originator of the rumours surrounding her:

This is Sister Dolapo online. Go ahead, ma

I needed to come out and speak because my family and my friends are worried. It’s getting out of hand because some people think I’ve been kidnapped, which is totally ridiculous. But I want to use this platform to just tell everyone who is worried about me that I’m fine; there’s nothing wrong with me; I’ve not been kidnapped neither am I under any voodoo or ‘jazz’. I do not believe in jazz. I don’t believe in voodoo so it can’t catch me and it will never work with me. I don’t have that background. My mother is a Catholic and I’m a Redeemer, so I don’t have any background of voodoo or jazz, so that is total nonsense.

If in this day and age, people still believe that people can be jazzed and all that, I am really sorry for them. Asides that, Mr. Soji who has been slandering and writing a lot of rubbish about me, is half a man, so I refuse to give him audience. I cannot speak to a man who does not respect women. We’re not in the olden days where you can just talk down on women. I’m a woman of integrity and I know my rights. So, I refuse to give audience to a man who does not know anything about me; has never met me and decides to take on another man’s house or personal issues and makes it his own. So, obviously he’s got a lot of issues going on in his life. And I’m not on this platform to insult him or anything, but I just pity him and I pity his wife, honestly.

I don’t listen to his show anymore, but people that are concerned have sent me one or two things that he is saying about me. To be honest with you, I laugh because I know the people behind this. Now, if you hold the kind of position that I hold, if you sit in the kind of place that I’m sitting, of course you are going to have enemies. You will have enemies. Daddy is a wonderful person, he is a man of God, he is well respected. Like I said to you earlier on, to the best of my knowledge, he was living separately with his wife ‘cause there are so many women out there who would love to be in my position. Please Dorcas, so why won’t they gang up and write rubbish about me? Of course they would do that. You know the funniest thing? Let me make you laugh. For you to know, I actually had a call from one of them this morning and the person called and was saying to me, asking me how frustrated I am. You know, wanting to know, like, “I hope we are getting to you” and everything. I was just laughing; a woman for that matter! Do you understand? So, there’s a lot of nonsense going on. I know where this is coming from and I realise that I’m the main target here, do you understand? I realise that I’m the main target here. The people who were stealing from him want me out. The people who want to be in the position that I’m in now want me out, so, hello Dorcas, of course, I’m going to make enemies. So, I’m just sitting and I’m laughing because I was already told about this a couple of months back, do you understand, that I’m going to face persecution, do you understand? Jesus Christ was persecuted, Buhari, the president of the federal republic of Nigeria, is being insulted and abused. Mrs. Jonathan Goodluck was insulted when she was the wife of the president. Who am I for them not write rubbish and blog about me? Do you understand? Even Ooni of Ife and his new wife, for God’s sake, are being insulted. So, why would I complain? So, I’m sorry. Sticks and stones won’t break me! Honestly. So, please Mr. Soji, continue to blog. You’re just making me famous for the next level of my life. I’ve always liked to do things from behind. I don’t like to show my face but I’ve just realised that when you have a calling and God wants people to know you, He will push you out whether you like it or not. Watch Baba’s Facebook, I don’t show my face. I’ve got nothing to hide; God has blessed me, in every possible way that a woman can be blessed. And for your information, all those of you that are listening, no, I did not go to Baba for anything. To the glory of God, I didn’t have any problem. I went there for a friend.

Do you want us to talk about this friend now?

No no no, there’s no need to bring that up, do you understand? A friend had issues and she asked me to go there for her. She doesn’t live in this country and I was coming back from London to Nigeria. And that’s what I went for. And Baba can say that; he can confirm what I’ve just said. So, I didn’t go to do anything, I don’t go to ori-oke. As for the picture that is being brandished up and down, Dorcas, I look good without makeup and I look good with makeup! Do you understand? I’m a party-popper! When I need to go to a party, I know how to put on the things that I need to put on and I will look like a million dollars. I was praying yesterday, why would I wear makeup to go and pray? I was praying; it was a praying period yesterday for me and I was praying, so I’m sorry, I love myself even if anyone doesn’t like me. And the people around me love me as well. So, please, this is a platform for me to tell all those people who are writing nonsense about me, who are hoping I’d leave where I’m at, tell them I said “I ain’t going nowhere”. I’m here and I’m here to stay. And then please, I don’t know why Mummy ….. is so upset with me and I love that woman. I don’t know. Do you know the funniest thing is, I was telling Daddy, I said “look, you guys are live, most of you are live. So please…”, but for reasons best known to Daddy, he said that God asked him to speak. So, if a man of God tells you God asked him to speak, what do you want me to say? He should listen to me? I would never impose myself on a man. I said my bit, he said he needed to listen to his God and I’ve left him to answer his master. So, it had nothing to do with me. So please, Mr. Soji can continue, you don’t have enough information, I’m sorry, you really don’t. So please, go ahead. And the people who are paying you to write the rubbish about me, don’t worry, they are coming back to me to check if it’s hitting me. Sweetheart, it’s not hitting me at all. I’m on my way to work now. (We even have proof of their payment, Soji ole. Ole). They are paying him and they are coming back to me. Look, Dorcas, when people send you messages and tell you we are going to destroy you and we will go to any length, do you understand? And then something like this happens, will you be shocked, surprised or pained? God prepared me for this and He’s fighting my battles for me. If it was someone else with common sense, maybe I will respond to him. If it was a woman writing this, I probably would respond. But for a man to stoop so low and try and, you know, drag a woman through the mud for a matter that does not concern you, I’m very disappointed. Every time I think about him, I just cringe. Why would a man go to such lengths to destroy someone you don’t know? I’m not surprised. Dorcas, let me say it out loud now for anyone who is listening to this. I have enemies and they are very plenty and I’ve just started having enemies because the sky is not my limit, it is the beginning. I’m going places and I’ve just started. And my enemies are making me stronger.

One other thing I want you to confirm just for the general public to know, so that Soji will know that we know where all this is coming from and prepare himself, because Soji needs to give me evidence. He mentioned a name this morning, Eddy. Is Eddy dead or alive?

The only Eddy I know is alive. He is a good looking, handsome man; he’s alive and I spoke to him last week. So, I don’t know what he is talking about. So whoever the Eddy he is talking about is, maybe in his family. He is getting his information all distorted. And he’s not saying things that would upset me. He’s just making me stronger. Honestly, making me famous. People didn’t know me this well. Now, D… is famous. Wow, thanks, Soji.

Headline

Who Will Rescue Nigeria from Political Bandits?

Published

6 days ago

October 6, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The Oxford Dictionary defines a bandit as a robber or outlaw belonging to a gang and typically operating in an isolated or lawless area. In a layman’s language, a bandit is a basically a robber, most of the times, heavily.

In many professional sectors, bandits have arisen in form of leaders, as a result of their high handedness, disrespect for constituted authorities, greed for power and disregards for humanity. Among the bandits of the Nigerian society are the political bandits. They are members of diverse political parties spread across the judiciary, legislature, executive, business environment and more. The banditry has created dissension across boards, affecting the main and opposition political parties, the Nigerian economy, the judiciary with the infamous conflicting judicial pronouncements and judgments, creating a typical musical staccato.

As a result, while the country battles the known bandits of Sokoto, Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina and Niger among others, the people are unfortunately putting up with the rascality of the new kind of banditry, which shares public space with the populace, albeit politicians and public office holders. But while the shenanigans persist, the government and people keep a blind eye, pretending that all is well.

“It’s no longer news that the issues prevailing in the country today vis a vis political crisis, judicial rascality and the total economic downturn ravaging the nation, unleashing hunger among the populace is a direct invention of the government of the day.

“Firstly, to decimate the opposition parties so as to create a leeway for a smooth return to power in 2027 as well as impoverish the people, make them hopeless so as to feed them crumbs without questions. Of course, the constant phoney distribution of palliatives is a consequence of the self-made affliction,” an analyst told The Boss.

It would be recalled that the nation has experienced more than a far share of democratic brigandry and political banditry since the May 29, 2023 inauguration day pronouncement of ‘subsidy is gone’ by President Bola Tinubu. Apart from the economy hitting the rocks since then, the opposition parties have continually remained on each other’s neck in what political analysts have described as a deliberate ploy of the government in power to instigated crises across board, and propel the country towards a one party state under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), leadership tussle has remained endemic, creating factions between those loyal to the Acting Chairman, Umar Iliya Damagum and the the rest of the members, with an allegation that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr Nyesom Wike, has a superlative control of the leadership; a situation that has made it absolutely difficult for the opposition party to successfully play its opposition role.

“No matter what anybody says, it’s obvious that Wike is working for the APC, and at the same time maintains a strangle hold on the PDP for the very wrong reasons. It’s completely difficult for the PDP leadership as presently constituted to speak against the APC or even Wike himself. It is not by accident that Senator Dino Melaye, a vocal chieftain of the party, described it as a ‘dead party’. You know that New Nigeria’s People’s Party’s Rabiu Kwankwaso has echoed that line of thought,” a PDP stakeholder, who prefers anonymity said.

The crisis of leadership has also divided the Governors Forum under Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, causing the party to abandon Rivers State governor, Sim Fubara, in his battles for the state structure against Wike.

While Bala Mohammed had earlier indicated that the forum was considering the return of the national chairmanship to the North-Central, describing the current leadership arrangement in the North-East as unconstitutional, a decision that was supported by Osun state governor, Ademola Adeleke.

“My brother from the North-East is currently acting as the national chairman, which is a constitutional anomaly. According to our Constitution, any vacancy in a leadership position should be filled by the region from which it was originally created,” Bala said on Tuesday.

The Bauchi State governor explained that the North-Central region had been expecting the position and hinted that the forum was working with the chairman, the National Working Committee (NWC), and the broader party structure to return the chairmanship to the North-Central.

“We have discussed the issue and will work to ensure that the North-Central is given the opportunity to assume this responsibility,” he stated.

However, Governor Fintiri of Adamawa, in a sharp contrast to Bala’s stance, declared his strong support for Damagum’s leadership.

Fintiri noted that the North-East zone, which includes Bauchi, supports Damagum remaining as acting national chairman.

He referenced a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja that restrains the NWC, Board of Trustees (BoT), National Executive Committee (NEC), PDP, INEC, and any affiliated bodies from removing, replacing, or nominating a new chairman outside of Damagum.

“The court’s ruling is clear, and we must respect it for the sake of our party and democracy,” Fintiri stated in a statement earlier issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou.

The Adamawa governor further praised Damagum’s leadership for rebuilding public confidence in the PDP following the party’s defeat in the 2023 presidential election, and he endorsed him to complete the tenure of the former chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, a situation many members of the party disagree with.

Fintiri also emphasised that the North-East, having delivered strong results for the PDP in the 2023 elections, deserves the national chairmanship more than other regions. The zone includes Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe, Bauchi, Borno, and Yobe states, and Fintiri argued that their performance in the polls strengthens their claim to the chairmanship.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, also declared his full support for the NWC under Damagum’s leadership, underscoring the growing division within the PDP Governors’ Forum over the party’s leadership crisis.

Makinde noted that, while internal disagreements are inevitable in any political party, the focus should remain on unity as the party prepares for critical elections.

The party also agreed to support Fubara in Rivers, resolving to hand over party structure to him against Wike’s quest to hold to the structure. But in response, Wike threatened to step fire in the states of the PDP Governors, who took the decision. But while Mohammed called his bluff, Makinde pleaded to be exempted, acknowledging alleged Wike’s superiority.

The dissension that has continued led to the party’s loss of the Edo State governorship election. They claimed it was rigged by the APC.

Demagum continues to argue that the party’s rules allow for some flexibility in leadership positions and pointed out that the deputy chairman from the North could naturally assume the chairmanship if it were vacated.

Also in the Labour Party, leadership crisis has continued to polarize the party, creating a faction supposedly chaired by deposed Chairman, Julius Abure, and another by the new caretaker Chairman, Esther Nenadi. The party’s crisis also resulted in the dismal performance of their candidate, Olumide Akpata, in the just concluded Edo State governorship election on September 20.

The political rascality has further transcended to the judiciary, where what appears to be judgment for the highest bidder, is in vogue.

This situation has been witnessed in Rivers State, where the several court judgments continue to flow from several courts in favour of anyone, who applies for it.

On September 30, the court barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the voter register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for the elections.

The judge, Peter Lifu, cited RSIEC’s non-compliance with its 2018 law concerning the voter register as a reason for the court’s decision to halt the elections

Many lawyers and judicial stakeholders have expressed their disagreement with the court order and stressed the importance of judicial independence.

They argued that the case underscored the unconstitutionality and undemocratic nature of caretaker committees managing local governments.

A lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Jibrin Okutepa, noted as follows:

“Section 1 of the 1999 Constitution makes the constitution supreme and binding on all persons and authorities, including Nigerian courts.

“Section 287(1) further stipulates that decisions of the Supreme Court must be enforced across Nigeria by all persons and courts with subordinate jurisdiction to that of the Supreme Court.

“Judgments of the Supreme Court, whether rightly or wrongly decided, cannot be questioned or ignored by any courts or individuals in Nigeria; they can only be criticised.”

Also toeing the line of political banditry in the nation is the recklessness that has been exhibited by the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The body has been accused of also giving electoral victory to whomever expresses monetary and influential concern, especially the government of the day. The situation was further brought to light with the handling of the Edo State governorship election.

The situation of almost complete lawlessness that has pervaded the length and breadth of the nation’s political and economic sectors, have reduced the society to enclave enslaved by a group of individuals, who do not wish corporate existence, but selfish fulfillment of individual agenda.

In Rivers State, Governor Fubara appears to have called the bluff of the Bola Tinubu-led APC, the camp of Wike and all, who were bent on undermining his administration, but the question still stand, who will rescue Nigeria from political bandits as the situation is far from over.

Headline

Glo Splashes Millions of Naira on Partners at Luxurious Event in Lagos

Published

7 days ago

October 5, 2024

Eric

Globacom, Nigeria’s telecommunications and digital solutions services provider, on Thursday treated its business partners across the country to a luxurious ceremony in Lagos. The event was held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island.

At the event, Globacom honoured its top-performing partners that fulfilled all regional and national deliverable requirements with millions of naira in recognition of their outstanding work.

A total number of 71 partners were rewarded in two broad categories, with the winners receiving millions of naira in cash prizes. Category 1 comprised 22 Activation Award winners and 33 Divisional Recharge winners.

In Category 2, 16 partners were rewarded for outstanding performance at the national level. They included partners who performed excellently in Sponsored Data and Activation and those who won national awards in the Recharge category.

The event was held to “honour not just individual successes, but the collaborative spirit that drives innovation and growth”, according to a statement from Globacom. It added that each of the partners “continues to play crucial roles in Globacom’s mission to empower people and businesses, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in telecommunications”.

Globacom shared with them its current and future projections to grow the company and maintain a win-win partnership with the business partners and promised to constantly take their interest and that of other stakeholders into account in all of its plans and projections.

“We are excited about the future, of our continued partnership in serving our customers, fulfilling their needs and helping them achieve their ambitions. We count on you all to be by our side all the way”, the company reiterated to the business partners.

Globacom, which recently clocked 21st, noted that it has grown from being a telecommunications service provider to becoming a Digital and Technology Company, leading the drive into Nigeria’s digital future. It promised to continue to explore unlimited opportunities to serve the customers by investing heavily in the latest tools and technologies.

The company recently unveiled My-G which gives subscribers more data value and more freedom to explore their passions. It has also reinvigorated the Glo Cafe app to give subscribers total control and access to entertainment, gaming, data solutions and other VAS services on their mobile devices. Glo also enhanced the Berekete tariff plan to give unparalleled juicy benefits to subscribers, ensuring that every new business innovation, product and service bring Glo customers one step closer to their goals.

However, the partners had a terrific time being entertained, so the event wasn’t just about business presentations and prizes. Lilian Yeri Danceworld, an all-female dance company with a lot of versatile dance movements, was available to entertain the guests.

Celebrated musician, Flavour, also brightened up the evening with great music, adding color to bring the celebration to a close. Several guests joined him on the dance floor to enjoy his songs and flow along with his captivating performance.

Headline

Charles Osuji: Canada Celebrates a Legal Wizard

Published

2 weeks ago

September 30, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

From a very humble beginning in Imo State, South East Nigeria, Charles Osuji has not only found the golden fleece, but had nature give him a soft landing on posterity; the evidence of his prolific hard work.

Here’s the story of a man, who transcended boundaries and borders, challenges and huddles as well as barriers to take the legal profession by storm, hitting the highest echelon with panache in far away Calgary, Alberta in Canada. He graduated top of his class with honours from Imo State University in 2009, and called to the Nigerian bar from where he migrated to Canada. He was absorbed into the then Smith Law Office, where he had a successful articling before being admitted into the Alberta Bar in 2014. He became a partner in 2016, and moved to sole ownership in 2017.

Today, Canada celebrates a man of vision, impact, focus, determination and commitment to growth, just as Nigeria walks tall with pride at a total package of dignity, influence, affluence and candor exportable to the global world. His name is Dr. Charles Osuji, the Chief Executive Officer of one of Canada’s most thriving law firm, Osuji & Smith Lawyers. Osuji proved from day one to be a man, who knows what he wants, and it is no accident that he has achieved so much, and yet not rested on any oars. He sits comfortably as the owner of the largest black-owned law firm in Canada.

Osuji’s larger than life achievements have been encapsulated in what most authorities have said and written about him.

In a speech during the welcoming of The Boss Publisher, Chief Dele Momodu, in Calgary the week before, Barrister Juliet Omonigho, has this to say about Dr. Osuji

“Sir, let me tell you a bit about Dr. Charles Osuji; like Chief Dr. Momodu, he embarked on a journey fueled by vision and determination. Charles arrived in Canada and quickly rose through the ranks with sheer hard work, humility, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. In just a few short years, five years to be exact, he went from a young Nigerian boy in his twenties who, though graduated at the top of his class, seemed to have no prospects when he arrived in Canada, working three menial jobs to make ends meet, to finally getting an articling position after over 200 rejections! He bought the firm just three years after Articling and, in just five short years as managing partner, led it to become the largest black-owned law firm in Canada! His story is one of resilience, innovation, courage and the kind of tenacity that transforms dreams into reality.

“Osuji & Smith Lawyers, under Charles’ leadership, mirrors the journey of Ovation International. Both entities began with a vision, faced numerous challenges, achieved feats that had never been achieved before… and ultimately became symbols of success and excellence in their respective fields. Just as Chief Dr. Dele Momodu has become a beacon of pride for Africa in the global media landscape, Dr. Charles Osuji and his firm have become shining examples of what can be achieved by a young immigrant lawyer with no connections in Canada but through hard work and a commitment to uplifting others rise to national recognition in this country.

“Through the Foot in the Door Initiative, FIDI, an organization founded to empower internally trained lawyers Charles, our firm’s reach is international, giving incredible opportunities to internationally trained lawyers around the world to gain legal experience so they do not have to spend years writing hundreds of applications as he did before getting a foot in the door into a legal profession.

“As a director of the program, we get contacted by lawyers from around the world about the opportunity to be part of the initiative, and we say yes, which gives them the confidence to move to Canada to pursue their legal careers. The impact of the FIDI innovation is truly global.

“Our firm is so successful because Charles has assembled an incredible team of legal minds producing first-class work and the most dedicated and brilliant administrative staff. And collectively, we are all determined and dedicated to giving back. We are a full-service law firm with a diverse staff that speaks over 31 languages; by the way, Chief Momodu, we know you are a linguist who speaks several languages. Our ages range from twenties to seventies, and we serve a diverse Canada.

“As a result of Charles’ leadership, Nigeria is uplifting others regardless of race, ethnicity, or nationality. Over 200 FIDI students from different races have passed through our doors. Osuji & Smith has won landmark cases that established precedents, especially in employment law.

“Our firm has won over 105 awards across Canada, and Charles was recognized as one of Canada’s 25 most influential lawyers at age 35.

“Chief Dr. Momodu, you have led the way, setting an incredible example for a person like Dr. Charles Osuji—to rise to remarkable heights while keeping your focus on a larger mission: showcasing excellence, rewriting narratives, and creating opportunities for others. Your story continues to impact us even in the diaspora. It reminds us that with vision, determination, and the courage to stand for something greater than ourselves, there are no limits to what we can achieve.”

For a gentleman, who moved to Canada in 2011, it is quite impressive how he has climbed the ladders of success, and settled at the very height of greatness.

OF CHARLES OSUJI AND OSUJI & SMITH LAWYERS

By the age of 30, Charles Osuji, an internationally trained lawyer from Nigeria, bought a 37-year-old firm wherein he had served as an articling student not long before. Today, Osuji & Smith is a thriving small-sized firm that offers multi-generational and multi-cultural perspectives to its client base. The firm’s diverse staff includes lawyers who are educated or trained abroad, as well as individuals who can speak English, Igbo, Mandarin, Cantonese, Bengali, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, French, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu. Professionals at Osuji & Smith can bring their diverse legal, financial and lived experiences to the table, which is what sets the firm apart from others.

Charles Osuji acts as a role model for young professionals and as a mentor to the associate lawyers, articling students and legal assistants at the firm. For these reasons, Three Best Rated has consistently named Osuji & Smith, beginning in 2017, as one of the top-rated employment and business firms in Calgary.

Also on the endless list of those, who have one or two things to say about Osuji is the site LEXPERT Business of Law, who wrote in 2021 as follows:

In 2011, Charles Osuji uprooted himself — and his developing legal career — to move to Calgary from Nigeria. An internationally trained lawyer, he came to Canada knowing he’d have to become re-accredited and develop a new network of personal and professional colleagues — but Osuji wasn’t daunted by these challenges. He joined what is now Osuji & Smith Lawyers in 2013 as an articling student, was called to the Alberta Bar in 2014, became partner at the firm in 2016 and then, at the age of 31, made another bold move: he became sole owner of the firm. At an age when most lawyers are still preoccupied with learning their craft, Osuji stands at the helm of a thriving and fast rising small-sized law firm as managing partner and CEO.

Osuji was recently named one of Canadian Lawyer’s Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers; was recognized in both Canada and Avenue Calgary’s Top 40 Under 40 Award categoryies; won the Immigrant of Distinction — Achievement Under 35 Award from Immigrant Services Calgary; was recently recognized, and voted by his fellow lawyers across Canada, in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, 2022, for his outstanding professional excellence in private practice; and was a nominee for the Canadian Bar Association’s 2020 Douglas Miller Rising Star Award.

Osuji & Smith covers a number of areas of law including personal injury, immigration, civil litigation, business, wills and estate, real estate, family, and employment and labour. Clients, which represent a cross-section of Alberta businesses and individuals, benefit from the firm’s multi-generational and multi-cultural perspectives, and Osuji’s willingness to provide these different perspectives sets his firm apart in the Calgary market. He strives to bring an entrepreneurial, multi-cultural and holistic approach to the practice of law.

Osuji is dedicated to providing mentoring and leadership for his staff and is also “a volunteer extraordinaire.” He plays piano at his church, provides pro bono work such as with E-Fry and legal clinics and is a mentor for other newcomer professionals through the Calgary Region Immigrant Employment Counsel, where he participates in workshops and panel conversations as well as serves on the Board of Directors and as Secretary.

Despite his fast and furious rise in the Canadian legal community, Osuji remains humble, genuine and kind. His unique combination of high intellect, tireless work ethic and business acumen fuels this rising star, but Osuji remains grounded by his role as a model citizen for all young professionals.

A multi-award-winning lawyer across divides, Charles Osuji remains undaunted, churning out firsts after first.