It is not a common thing to find an international representative full of encomium for one, to the level of defining a client as a product of kindness from God. Certainly, the lovable personality of highly creative Nigerian comedian Kenny Blaq, must have got to his incredibly versatile International Artist Manager, James Akinwande.
Akinwande, the London-based international lawyer, vastly skilled in legal practice, is a product of London Metropolitan University with over 19 years of experience in Legal Compliance, Business and Immigration Law in Europe and Canada.
Apart from being Kenny Blaq’s representative on the international block, James Akinwande, who is fondly called jamesgolf22 is an International Compliant Consultant for a number of Nigerian entertainers, including actors and comedians AY/and Broda Shaggi
Among his many bags of feats, Akinwande is also an inventor, who has come a long way in his remarkable and illustrious sojourn
on earth. After finishing his secondary education in 1988 in Nigeria, he studied Electrical Electronics Engineering at the Ondo State polytechnic, Owo, and proceeded to the Federal University of Technology, Akure but left in his third year for the United Kingdom, where he earned his first degree at the University of East London; Birkbeck College. He also attended the University of Westminster and London Metropolitan University for additional degrees.
He recently made history as one of the 50 Nigerian-born inventors, after his latest invention; a cooking device, was licensed by the UK intellectual Property Office.
The father-of-three, who has been married for over 25 years, spoke of the challenges of managing celebrities.
“Being the International Artist Manager for Kenny Blaq has its ups and downs. Negotiations, Care, Contracts are major players in determining our success as a Team. God has been kind to me with Kenny Blaq cos his personality is quite admirable. He is surrounded by a loving family and his Nigerian Manager, Tolu Olokun apart from being very professional, we relate as brothers”, he stated.
The Nigerian entertainment industry is by far the biggest in Africa, with the creativity and talent of young Nigerians shinning through. Actors, artistes and comedians are loved and respected overseas as much as they are back home.
James Akinwande, an passionate golfer and a key stakeholder in the Nigerian entertainment sector, examined that this is because the industry in the country keeps evolving. He pointed out that the country’s deep culture plays a major role in the recent successes recorded by the nation’s celebrities abroad.
“The Nigerian Entertainment industry is constantly evolving. Nigerians are pioneers; leading Africa and presenting us on the global stage exceptionally. As of now, The Nigerian entertainment industry is Miles ahead of our other African contemporaries.
“I believe it’s rooted in our culture. We are highly competitive and we have class. We are constantly looking at getting better and showing class on a greater scale. Do you think Burna boy or Wizkid, talk less of Ashake are the best vocal artists in Africa? Of cos not; but check out their presentations. We are proud of our culture and our presentation of this is usually exquisite and our artists who are not yet ready to compete at this level are side-lined,” stressed James Akinwande.
