Filmmaker Ayo Shonaiya called bar

Ayo Shonaiya

Entertainment and media personality Ayo Shonaiya was on Tuesday called to the Nigerian bar.

The movie producer, who trained as a lawyer in the UK, announced his graduation from the Nigerian Law School in a series of Instagram posts.

A proud Shonaiya recounted his experiences at the school, stressing that he ventured into the legal profession to initiate reforms.

 

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One thing I realised in Nigeria is, nobody cares if you’re a UK Lawyer for 19yrs, you are NOT a Lawyer in Nigeria until you go to the Nigerian Law School, Pass the Nigerian Bar Exam and get Called to the Nigerian Bar! Well, today I did just that. Started in Bwari in the FCT (Bar1), then proceeded to the Law School Lagos Campus (Bar2), studied very hard, showered with cold water on Campus, attended classes everyday (sometimes till 7pm!), served Externship in Court and Chambers for 3 months and survived 2 health scares. But in the end, today I thank God, my wife & children (my greatest joy and supporters club), my Mum, my brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, my friends, my mother inlaw Felicia, my children “in Law” Ire and Foza, fellow students, Lecturers, my guys (awon temi) non-academic staff at Lagos Campus, Life Benchers who signed my form, and of course MYSELF, for pushing through against all odds to finish this course. Why did I do this? 2 reasons: (1) To initiate legal reform in some areas of Law in Nigeria, especially Entertainment Law, and (2) Never to disappoint my children in anything I do, as they all believe I’m the coolest Dad in the world! #AwonOmoAyo. Now that I am officially a Nigerian Lawyer, we start work next week. From now on, whatever you see me do, say or initiate in the Legal space in Nigeria, just know that I’ve been working on this for a long time and it is for the ultimate good of this Country. Thank you very much, e se gan 😊 @iredumare @fozadoza @idnoble229 @leala.rain @naiyaf___ @bs_babz @_itsimiiya._ @djabass @timiadegbite @steveayorinde @HonAdebimpeAkinsola @olutoyinlatinwo @bisayo.ventures @feyifab @dunniyomi @supercarsofnigeria @ayoolanation @wofaifada @iamreminisce @9iceofficial @kingwasiuayindemarshal @djteefilms @jkgn6 #HonJusticeOpesanwo #FalanaAndFalana #SylvesterUdemezue #MrsJames #MrsOdukoya #MrsTokunboAjidahun #MrKanu #MrOrimogunje #DrOshamolu #DrOlowononi #MrTijani #DrHameed #Ijeshaaaa @lagosstategovt @akinwunmiambode #MichaelOlom #TobiOlagunju #ToyeebGazali #BGE @_tekevwe #Eloho #TayoOgedengbe #Odunayo #SholaShomorin #LamideAdekogbe and finally, Able God 😊 Ayoola Shonaiya ESQ.

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The 49-year-old father of five attended his call to bar ceremony with his wife.

 

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Finally! WE made it. #CallToBar Abuja, Nigeria.

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Apart from making movies, Shonaiya is also a music talent agent.

He has managed some of Nigeria’s top artistes including K1 de Ultimate, D’banj, eLDee the Don, Don Jazzy and Munachii.

He is the founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of entertainment and media management company The RMG Company.

A Fela Kuti devotee, Shonaiya studied film and television in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and law at the University of Westminster.

His film production credit includes More Blessing, King of My Country and Spin.