By Alexander Ekemenah
Dele Kelvin Oye has two dissimilar personality traits in his public posturing.
The first is that of a gentleman, indeed a gentle and loving father who takes patience to explain things to others especially his listening audience in public domain. He comes out kind and with infinite patience, embracing all and endearing all to himself.
The second is the firebrand, aggressive, confrontational, controversial, completely fearless like a lion, with willingness to confront constituted authority, speaking truth to power without caring about who is affected.
He has not only demonstrated this in the courtroom (he is a litigation lawyer per excellence) but also in public fora.
Both traits are structured into his DNA and/or genetic make-up. They cannot be separated from him.
But what is not known is whether these were acquired traits or in-born.
It is also possible that it is the combination of the two when his background is explored.
For instance, he is a product of “Great Ife” (University of Ife/Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, the citadel of student radicalism in the country at the time he attended and graduated from the University. This was part of the peak period of radicalism in the Nigerian tertiary institutions after which it started nose-diving into what we have today: completely pusillanimous, emasculated and amputated.
The students that were once formerly openly confrontational against military rule have now shamelessly become exceedingly docile before the various acts of infamies, brigandage and impunities of the civilian rulers.
Thus most probably reinforcing this observable public aggressiveness in Dele Kelvin Oye is that he graduated from Faculty of Law where oratorical skills are honed and homed as part of the informal prerequisites for later law practice.
Thus his bullishness at public fora is not surprising. He must have, therefore, inherited his aggressive trait from the Faculty where “submissiveness” is regarded as anathema to the posturing of a lawyer and practice of law later in the future after Law School and after being called to Bar. This is because, knowingly or unknowingly, the first thing legal education and training remove from one is element of fear of anything, anybody or constituted authority.
But this externally-induced or acquired trait may not have been unconnected with the original in-born trait that has hitherto remained recessive or dormant in his DNA/genetic structure. In other words, this externally-induced trait is a logical response to and activation of what is already in him.
Ever since Dele Kelvin Oye graduated from Obafemi Awolowo University with LL.B Hons in 1988 and the Nigerian Law School with B.L in 1989, he has gradually, step-by-step, climbed the ladder to the very summit of the Organised Private Sector in Nigeria (OPSN) and Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) both as Chairman and President of both bodies respectively.
That is no mean feat. This achievement can only be attained by and regarded as sheer singular commitment to a sacred cause of contributing to the upliftment of the Nigerian industrial landscape, pulling it from the doldrums that have afflicted it over the decades.
The history of the Nigerian industrial landscape cannot be written and completed without mentioning his name and role he had played and is still playing for the industrial development of Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
This is where his aggressiveness comes to the fore in the forceful advocacy for regulatory changes that will positively drive and enhance the working environment of the country’s industrial terrain. His voice is unmistakably loud and clear on the account of this. And he offered no apology for it.
Kelvin Oye has probably seen it all in terms of acquired managerial skills – managing institutions and fellow human beings.
He has been Chairman of the Nigerian Turkiye Business Council; member of the Executive Committee, Federation of West Africa Chambers of Commerce; Fellow and Governing Council Member, Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators; past President, Abuja Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ABUCCIMA); Vice Chairman Ekiti Investment and development Promotion and Agency, 2023 till date, including membership of Business Recovery And Insolvency Practitioners Of Nigeria (BRIPAN).
As a member of BRIPAN, Kelvin was able to gain invaluable insights into the dynamics of insolvency law and business recovery practices in Nigeria. BRIPAN serves as a vital platform for professionals passionate about driving reforms in insolvency, fostering collaboration with government agencies, and influencing relevant legislation.
His active participation within BRIPAN has equipped him with the skills and knowledge to effectively navigate the complexities of insolvency.
Kelvin successfully functioned as the receiver-manager for the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) where managed the resolution and recovery processes, enhancing his ability to implement best practices in asset management and facilitating the recovery of distressed assets effectively.
During his time as the Chairman of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ABUCCIMA), including the Presidency from 2008 to 2011, he successfully transformed the Federal Capital Territory into a vibrant hub for the private sector, and his achievements include the construction of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry Permanent Building and Conference Centre, a project many deemed unattainable.
At 59, Dele Kelvin Oye stands tall like a Titan, a colossus. And when the final chapter of the Nigerian industrial landscape is written, it would be recorded against his name that: a Titan was once here!
This Titan called Dele Kelvin Oye was born in Benin City, Edo State, 59 years ago on April 14. He is an Aries. He attended Eghosa Grammar School in Benin City from 1978 to 1983, where he obtained his West African Examination Council Certificate. He proceeded to Edo College, Benin City, and earned his Advanced Level Certificate in 1985. Dele Kelvin then went on to study Law at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, from 1985 to 1988, where he earned his LL.B with Honors. That was when Law is a four-year degree programme. But he spent three years because he came in with an “A” Level certificate.
Oye began his legal career as a Law School Attaché at Onafowokan & Onafowokan & Co in Lagos in 1989. During his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year (1989-1990), he served at the Federal Capital Development Authority in Abuja. From 1990 to 1991, he worked as an Associate Counsel at Prime Chambers in Abuja.
Oye did not waste time in branching out on his own in his legal career.
In 1991, he founded Dele Oye & Associates, where he has been the Principal Partner for over three decades with core practice areas focused on Litigation, Company Law, Immigration, Energy and Renewables, Family Law including Charities and Philanthropy, with core values centred on professionalism by operating within the law and ethics that regulates the legal profession; integrity constituting the highest goal anchored on ‘honesty in service delivery’; excellence by striving to achieve optimum results for clients at minimal cost and above all, putting Clients’ interest first by providing tailor-made services to suit Clients’ needs.
This shows his prowess and diversity as a lawyer in traversing the hills and valleys of the legal profession in Nigeria.
However, his restless spirit did not allow him to stay quite in the legal profession. Thus, in addition to his legal practice, he went into business of advocacy which took him over and across the Nigerian industrial landscape.
Oye has held directorship and chairmanship roles in several companies, including MST West Africa Ltd, MST Properties West Africa Ltd, Cyber Innovation Technology Foundation and Clement Clariben Ventures Nigeria Limited. He is also a Board Member of Interbau Foundation.
Oye’s contributions to commerce and industry are evident in his roles at NACCIMA, where he has served as the 1st Deputy President and 2nd Deputy President prior to his current Presidency. He also served as Governing Council Member, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) from 2018 to 2021.
His efforts have been focused on strengthening the business community’s commitment to economic development and international trade relations.
His business interests span the green energy sector, real estate development, cyber security, and more. His entrepreneurial spirit can be seen clearly coming to the fore.
As a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators, Oye is also equipped with impressive negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
Oye’s leadership and service are not confined to the industrial sector alone. He has his hand extended to numerous professional and civic organizations.
He served as National President of the Obafemi Awolowo University Alumni Association from 2000 to 2004, during which time he made substantial contributions to university development, including part funding the construction of a two-storey Alumni Hall for female students.
He was also member of the University Governing Council, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, from 2000 to 2004.
In the legal community, he has been an active member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), holding several key positions, including Secretary of Continuing Legal Education and Vice Chairman of the Abuja branch. Chairman, Human Rights Committee for NBA, Abuja Branch (1998 – 2000). He is a member of Body of Benchers from 2016 to 2019.
He was also Chairman, Conference of All Alumni Association of Nigerian Universities CANNU from 2000 to 2003.
He has also been involved in the International Bar Association, Member Governing Council, Council of Legal Education (The Nigerian Law School), Member, the Body of Benchers in Nigeria. Coordinator of the Prosecution Team of the Nigerian Bar Association, Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, Vice- Chairman 2004 NBA National Annual Conference (where due to his diligence, the NBA made profit for the first time from its annual conference) and Chairman 2015 NBA National Annual General Conference, Member Board of Trustees, Obafemi Awolowo University Alumni Law Class 88 and Member Board of Trustees, Law School Class of 89.
He is a Governing Council member of the Nigeria’s Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) from 2021 to 2022. He is a Governing Council Member, International Institute for Petroleum, Energy Law and Policy (IIPELP). He is also a Member, American Bar Association.
Oye’s reputation as an astute entrepreneur is further enhanced through his involvement in successful business ventures in the oil and gas industry, real estate, insolvency advisory, mining, and the digital economy.
His passion for the creative industry has also led to his support and promotion of Nigeria’s cultural heritage.
Dele Kelvin Oye is not only a technocrat, but an entrepreneur and astute businessman to boot. He has demonstrated his exceptional multitasking skills and commitment to both his primary constituency of the legal profession and the organized private sector in Nigeria
Oye’s visionary leadership and exemplary contributions to the business community have earned him a place in the chambers of commerce network in Nigeria and West Africa.
With a vast network both locally and internationally, Oye has strategically positioned himself to help promote economic growth and development, facilitate trade and investment, and enhance business relations between Nigeria and the international community.
Outside of his organisational leadership roles, Oye is an accomplished entrepreneur with investments spread across several industries, including digital economy, real estate, oil and gas.
Dele Kelvin Oye has won several awards for his meritorious services, some of which are:
– His service at the Obafemi Awolowo University Alumni Association, where he built a hostel to accommodate one hundred students.
– The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), where a hall – “Dele Oye Hall” was named in his honour, for his previous and continuous contributions to the development of the Chamber of Commerce, business and Industry in Nigeria.
Dele Kelvin has received various accolades including the NYSC FCT Honours Award for Meritorious Distinguished Performance and the Vocational Excellence Merit Award from the Rotaract Club of Abuja.
To cap it all, in recognition of his contributions to Nigeria’s economic development, Dele Kelvin Oye was publicly acknowledged by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu GCFR in India, at the Business Roundtable of India and Nigeria.
The above is part of his overall intimidating resume.
A hearty birthday to an achiever!
Happy birthday to you, Dele!
May you climb higher!
- Alex Ekemenah is the Chief Analyst of NextMoney and can be reached via 08168975679 or alexekemenah@gmail.com