A large number of successful people have had someone they looked up to inspire them on their journey. Many go as far as establishing personal contact with their role models, with the belief that such will bring them no less success and help them stay focused on their life’s goals.
But it doesn’t work out that way for all successful people who, for some reasons, just maintained their lane and pursue their objectives. James Akinwande, an inventor, top international legal figure in the representation and management of some Nigerian celebrities, with more than 19 years of experience in Legal Compliance, Business and Immigration Law in Europe and Canada, is one of such.
Only James Akinwande, popularly referred to as jamesgolf22 can explain his reasons for the unrelenting pursuit of knowledge. He completed his secondary education in Nigeria in 1988 and, has since then, been chasing insight. The Ondo-born guru studied Electrical Electronics Engineering at the Ondo State Polytechnic, Owo, and later progressed to the Federal University of Technology, Akure/but had to stop in his third year and proceeded to the University of East London; Birkbeck College; University of Westminster and at London Metropolitan University.
The father-of-three boys, who has been living in the United Kingdom for over 28 years, has unveiled an invention in cooking device which has now been licensed by the UK Intellectual Property Office and becoming one of 50 Nigerian-born inventors.
Despite being an inventor and accomplished lawyer, James Akinwande is the International Artist Manager for popular comedian, Kenny Blaq, and Artist International Compliance Consultant for the likes of actors and comedians, AY, Broda Shaggi, among others.
In today’s world and certainly at any point in history, It would require massive inspiration and spirited mentorship to make such unprecedented achievements. But the accomplished legal practitioner sees everything differently, explaining why he doesn’t find inspiration in anyone else.
“I have invested a lot of time and energy in studying people: I am yet to meet a man or woman that I would love to be, with all due respect. When you get to really know people and their flaws; you’ll thank God for your own life and know that only God is perfect. I admire a lot of great men, but I don’t think I have a role model yet”, James Akinwande said in a question and answer session with reporters.
Akinwande has lived a life many would covet if given ten chances to come back to this world. But for the inventor, he said he would do many things differently if given the opportunity to come back to earth.
“If I ever have the chance to come back to this world and start from scratch. What would I do differently? Loads! But I am thankful for what I am today. All my mistakes are pivotal to my achievements. All my failures in life are seen as blessings on the long term. I have constantly seen what the enemy meant for evil, with GOD turning around for my good; over and over”, he expressed.
James Akinwande ascribes praise to God for his invention and credited his wife for the idea.
“My invention was my wife’s idea.
You know how it is when you think about something that has never been done but you know it’s possible.
The idea was birthed in 1999 but we were so poor and could not afford the patent fees… or prototype.
Fifteen years later, In 2014: God had blessed us enough to find the invention from design to patent fees… they don’t come cheap at all,”he said.
“You don’t want to know how much this has cost till date. I discovered “INNOVATE” who helped with an acceptable design and connected us with the best Patent lawyers in Britain. We applied in 2015 and my patent application got an approval in 2019.
“It has been a great achievement and I give the glory to God. But I am presently not looking at that as I still have other feats to achieve. I would love my invention to be seen and used by every household all over the world and more importantly having its values and legacy passed the generation after me”, added James Akinwande