Victor Akolade Olowu (born October 8, 1992) is a Nigerian on-air personality and media entrepreneur, popularly known as Kolade, Mr. Dominate, or Kolade Dominate.^[2]

Early life

He was born on October 8, 1992, in Ijebu, Ogun State, Nigeria. He attended Mayflower School in Ikenne for his secondary education and pursued further studies in presentation at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria. He also has a digital multimedia technology degree from Highland College of Technology and a degree in mass communication from the Institut Superieur de Communication et de Gestion and the Université Protestante de l'Afrique de l'Ouest in Porto Novo, Benin.

Career

After attending the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria training school, now the Broadcasting Academy of Nigeria, to study presentation, he decided to concentrate on his broadcasting career with the help of Dj ShyShy Shyllon and Dj Boombastic, to name a few, who helped him sharpen his skills. He kicked off his broadcasting career in 2013 at Star FM in Lagos as a host of the radio drive-time show, where he served for about two years before he began to host other radio shows.^[3]

After handling the radio programs for two years, he inked a deal with Starlite Online Radio, where he handled programming and productions for six months. Moved from there to Nigeria's first private radio station, Raypower FM. After a short stint with the Lagos branch, he moved to Ray Power 95.1 FM in Ibadan in January 2015.^[4] During his stay, he was the head of production and programs, where he anchored the ‘’ultimate morning show, Raypower Lounge, Soul Serenade, the drive-time show ‘’Power Play’’ every weekday, the Saturday evening groove, and the Sunday afternoon special.

He resigned on November 30th, 2018 and left for Splash 105.5 FM Ibadan, where he hosted programs such as the Smooth Home Drive on weekdays, Men United and Juicy Friday Night, Morning Splash Xtra, and his brainchild program The Splash Music Box, which still airs on Saturday on the station, amongst others.^[5] He resigned on Christmas Day in December 2020 and left for Inspiration 92.3 FM Lagos, where he currently handles the breakfast jam from 6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., amongst other radio programs.^[6]

In 2018, Kolade established the fast-rising talent promotion, PR, and management outfit ‘’10O8World’’, which presently houses Dotman, Sean Tizzle, DJ Neptune, Jaywon, Naeomi, Id Cabasa and some other acts who are still under grooming.^[7]10O8 World remains one of Nigeria's fast-rising management outfits. Over the years, the firm has plugged, distributed, and promoted a wide range of afro beats artists and their songs, such as Akube, My Woman, Feelings and Enugbe by Dotman, Economy by 9ice, Totori by ID Cabasa ft Wizkid, Olamide, Nobody Fine Pass You by T Classic, and Cunny Cunny By BBNaija star Debie Rise, Tanasha Donna (Kenya), Informate, and See Mary, See Jesus by DJ Kaywise, to name a few, with the level of connections and media relations they possess across the country and beyond.^[8]Kolade has had sit-down conversations with major entertainment stakeholders and players, including Dbanj, Chike, Terry Apala, 2baba, Joeboy, DJ Neptune, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Banky W, DJ Kaywise, Teni, 9ice, ID Cabasa, Mayorkun, Oxlade, Tems, Dremo, Jaywon, Olamide, Bad Boy Timz, Omah Lay, Tems, Vector, and Cute Abiola, to name a few.

Awards

Kolade has been recognized as one of the most influential media personalities in the southern region of Nigeria. He has been nominated and recognized by several award-organizing bodies and has won numerous awards and recognitions. In 2017, he was awarded the on-air personality of the year at the MAYA Awards. He was also awarded the same award category in the Cool Wealth Awards in 2018, the Ice Gate Awards in 2018, and the JKRUE All Youths Awards in 2019. In July 2018, he was awarded as one of the most influential media personnel in the southwest of Nigeria and was also enlisted among radiocasting's most influential OAPs across the country in 2020.^[9]

References