By Malachy Uzendu
Even as the date is yet to be, the ambience is all over the places. The celebrations had already kicked off in earnest. This year’s 29th April, which is just few days away, after the Easter celebration, is already ringing a bell. That day has already been blocked from other appointments by top and formidable Nigerians, nay, across the world. A day to celebrate Dr. Michael Adeniyi Agbolade Ishola Adenuga Jnr, CSG, GCON, born on 29th April, 1953.
After his primary education in a remote village, he proceeded to Ibadan Grammar School, where he bagged a sterling Secondary School certificate, amd thereafter , proceeded to Northwestern Oklahoma State University, and Peace University, graduating in flying colours.
The highly celebrated billionaire businessman, and unarguably rated the sixth richest person in Africa by several rating agencies and financial gurus, has already carved an indomitable niche with several of his companies, and in particular, with Globacom, Nigeria’s second-largest telecom operator, standing out on a class of its own. Glo, through its strides, also exudes a dominant presence in Ghana and Benin Republic, respectively.
Among other businesses, it must be stated that Chief Adenuga owns large stakes in Equitorial Trust Bank and a thriving oil exploration company, Conoil, a key player in the oil and gas business in Nigeria and globally.
Long before 29th April, everywhere is already turning red for Dr. Adenuga, his family and his retinue of friends. There is this gyrating and steady hype cascading to April 29, the red-letter day. The drums are being cleaned up; the drummers are at their practice performance all for a man considered to be the best among his peers and business contemporaries. The gong beaters, flutists and the guitarists are cleaning and oiling their equipments, gearing up to bring out their best for a man who deserves only but the best.
And across the states in Nigeria, the numerous winners of the various Glo’s housing, vehicles, household items and other gifts bazaars, are perfecting their dance steps, and most importantly, have been offering prayers to God to continue to bless the great personality that has impacted on their lives the most; Nigeria’s most celebrated philanthropist.
We’re it not for Chief Adenuga, several people would not have had a decent roof over their heads; several people wouldn’t have owned a rickety, not to talk of smashing cruise cars; many wouldn’t have had a musical set in their homes; many wouldn’t have had a means of sustenance, especially from an industry they invested nothing; many wouldn’t have had the several millions and thousands of Naira now cooling off in their bank accounts. All thanks to the benevolence and kind heartedness of Dr. Adenuga Jnr.
On his part, Dr. Adenuga appreciates fully that by God’s providence and mercy, he hit the Biblical “three scores and ten”, an age reserved for those loved by God Almighty and is still counting in good health and agility or body and mind.
No wonder right from Mike Adenuga Towers to Bella’s Place, and every place his life had touched on, the birthday bells are already ringing, red ribbons are cascading, while almost the exactitude of gingle bells are sounding.
Dr. Adenuga, unlike most Nigerian businessmen is real; he is natural; he is approachable and down to earth. And right through all the companies where his Midas touch impact, to his numerous media friends and admirers, it is hurray, eureka and best wishes to Dr. Michael Adeniyi Agbolade Ishola Adenuga Jr.
It is no longer nees that from age 26 when Adenuga Jnr made his first million, running his family business, the “bull”, as he was fondly called, has remained consistent and exceptional.
His close allies say Dr. Adenuga always administered his chains of businesses with utmost efficiency, which is why each of the businesses are not just success stories, but rank among the global best in all ramifications.
The Septuagenarian is not in any doubt celebrated globally. Due to his impactful public and private life, there have been garlands of honours already bestowed on him. For instance in Paris, France, he was decorated with the national honour of Commander of the Legion of Honour. Similarly in Ghana, he was bestowed with the honour of the Companion of the Star of Ghana. And here in Nigeria, he holds the highest national honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), hitherto exclusively reserved for Heads of State and Presidents.
But, Adenuga, bearing the national honours, GCON, shows clearly that he is roundly appreciated across the country for his impactful life. And these are indomitable proofs that Dr. Adenuga is distinguished among that class of homo sapiens.
In 2001when the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) granted licence to three GSM network operators: MTN, Airtel and MTel, Dr. Adenuga did not consider the sector as saturated or difficult to venture into and be impactful. Imbued with the right attitude and drive, he moved on to secure the requisite licenses as the fourth network operator. This, Glo Mobile in 2002, became Nigeria’s second National Carrier. From inception to date, Glo has demonstrated its commitment to creating ceaseless values with its vast products and services.
Within 20 years of its operation, Glo is unarguably the country’s most preferred telecom choice with impactful presence in all nooks and crannies of the country and beyond.
The fact should not be lost that Adenuga’s Glo pioneered the following: per second billing, 2.5-G network in Nigeria, implementation of 3G network, 4-G LTE, launch of submarine cable (GLO 1) for efficient and fast broadband internet services. And these are no mean achievements. They are in fact, milestones of impactful and international magnitude.
And while other Nigerian business moguls throw only lavish parties, engage in superfluous expenditure on a Yatch, travelling to the most expensive cities across the world, Dr. Adenuga is a man who never let such inanity come around him.
Instead, he believes in home grown economy and supporting causes that positively impact millions of Nigerians, changing their lives for the better. It is not in any doubt that he has severally sponsored Nigeria’s giant movie Industry, the Nollywood and in Ghana, Ghollywood, and listed several actors and actresses as Glo Ambassadors with fantastic offers.
He has also single-handedly sponsored several cultural festivals in addition to carrying out several private and Corporate Social Responsibility projects, which in no small measure have empowered Nigerians in their numbers across the country.
Dr. Adenuga ‘s support for the nation’s and continental sports development is legendary, particularly through the sponsorship on the national teams of Nigeria and Ghana for several years, in addition to the two nation’s national Leagues, Supporters’ Clubs and the annual GLo CAF Awards, hosted to celebrate the best footballers and administrators in Africa, (male and female). These are legendary support that can only come from a man exuding panache, humility and humanity.
Dr. Adenuga remains a man of many parts, ceaselessly putting his intellect on activities that uplift the lives of the less privileged, the society, the country and the African continent generally.
It is no understatement to say that his upcoming birthday on 29th April is again another ecclesiastical opportunity for impactful services to humanity.
I respectfully join Dr. Adenuga’s family, admirers and beneficiaries to say a happy and glorious 71st birthday to the leader of leaders, man among men and a celebrated guru.
Dr. Adenuga is married to the pretty Adefolake Emilia, and the union is blessed with seven highly intelligent, well cultured and hardworking children.
