By Ebubechukwu Chidozie

One can easily count successful business men in Africa, particularly in Nigeria, known to be humble, humane or caring. 

Often, they are brashness,  arrogant and cherish to inflict pains on the downtrodden. 

But, Dr. Michael Adeniyi Agbolade Ishola Adenuga Jr. CSG, GCON, does not believe that haughtiness is a measure of success.   

An extraordinarily humble personality, he was born on the 29th day of April, 1953, seventy-two years ago.

De. Adenuga epitomises not just humility, but exceptionally, loveable.  He exhibits such qualities expected of one who believes in exercising undiluted law of nature: “love they neighbour as they self”.

Although one of Nigeria’s industirial moguls, he is epitomises peace, amity, serenity and progress. His vast wealth does not poke his head.  

No wonder the mighty and the low celebrate him yearly every, April 29, the day Almighty chose for him to be born. 

As I think through this write-up, media headlines are already being set to cut out platitudes to celebrate this wonderful personality and I dare say that the world is truly proud of this armada of a man who made Nigerians enjoy the reality of true indigenous telecommunications, via the GSM. Before Adenuga Jnr ventured into this extremely challenging venture seen by the uninformed  as a goldmine, it would be foolhardy of Nigerians to easily forget their experiences in the hands of both the public and foreign drivers of that sector, before Adenuga got into the boat. 

Immediately Adenuga boarded the ship, he rejected every form of outright all forms of cheating prevalent in the telecommunications industry, as at then. 

He took the bull by the horn, choosing to take all the risks, including paying the supreme price, to halt Nigerians from one minute billing. His actions immediately gave Nigeria a breathe of fresh air, pouring ice water to an extremely volatile and hitherto merciless business.

He was born without any form of razzmatazz , not pomp, neither was he a golden spoon child. 

He had his primary education in one of the remotest villages in the country, before proceeding to the Ibadan Grammar School and thereafter providence took him to the Northwestern Oklahoma State University and Peace University, where he graduated in flying colours.

Unarguably, rated among the ten richest in Africa, Mike Adenuga Jnr, despite his humble family background  he already carved a niche with his conglomerate, out of which Globacom, Nigeria’s second-largest telecom operator, has remained a household name and one of the most preferred brand. Globacom has since inception, maintained dominant presence in Ghana and Benin Republic, respectively and is noted for its unmatched Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). 

This birthday personality, Chief Adenuga, owns large stakes in the Equitorial Trust Bank and Conoil, a key player in the oil and gas business globally. 

Since the beginning of the month, everywhere around Chief (Dr.) Adenuga started turning gracefully red. There was this gyrating and steady hype already cascading to the red-letter day, April 29th. The drums have been cleaned; the drummers are at their practice best, the flutists and guitarists are set to ply their professional best, all for this super mogul who deserves only but the best.

And everywhere in Nigeria, Africa and across the world, the numerous winners of the various Globacom’s housing, vehicles and other gifts bazaar, are perfecting their dance steps, and most importantly, have been offering prayers to God to continue to bless and ecclesiastically continue to leave an imprint on the life of this most celebrated philanthropist. 

But for Dr. Adenuga Jnr, several people would not have had a decent roof over their head; several people wouldn’t have owned a rickety, not to talk of smashing brand new cars; many wouldn’t have had a musical set in their homes; several wouldn’t have had any means of livelihood, were it not through the benevolence and kind heartedness of Dr. Adenuga Jnr. 

Chief Adenuga appreciates fully that, but for God’s abundant providence and mercies, he may not have hit the Biblical “three scores and ten plus two”, reserved only for people who are loved by God Almighty. 

It should be noted that from the the Mike Adenuga Towers, to Bella’s Place and everywhere his life touched, the celebration bells are ringing, red ribbons are being mounted, being blown about glowingly by the wind. 

Dr. Adenuga, unlike most Nigerian businessmen is always natural in his conduct; he is down-to-earth. And right through all the companies his Midas touch has touched, including his personal and connected concerns, it is eureka and best wishes to Dr. Michael Adeniyi Agbolade Ishola Adenuga Jr.

Right from age 26 when he made his first million running his family business, the “Bull”, as he was fondly called, has remained an exceptional personality. People who relate with him closely to or who had followed the trajectory of his life diligently, say Dr. Adenuga Jnr always managed his chains of businesses so efficiently that each of the businesses have become not just mere success stories over a short period, but rank among the global best in all ramifications.

The Septuagenarian from his impactful public and private life, earned garlands of honours all around him. For instance, in Paris, France, he was decorated with the national honour of Commander of the Legion of Honour. In Ghana, he was bestowed with the Companion of the Star of Ghana. And right 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. 

In 2001 when the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) granted license to three GSM network operators: MTN, Airtel and MTel, Dr. Adenuga did not consider the sector a risk factor to venture into, despite volatility in the sector. Focused on how he would make the difference, he moved on and secured the requisite licenses as the fourth GSM operator in 2002. The company not only became Nigeria’s second National Carrier, but is today the only fully-indigenous telecom company standing and gaining national confidence. Since then, Globacom has demonstrated its commitment to adding values through its vast products and services. Within 20 years of its operation, Glo had become the country’s most preferred telco.

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.

He believes in supporting causes that positively impact millions of Nigerians. He has therefore severally sponsored Nigeria’s movie Industry, Nollywood and in Ghana, Ghallywood, and named several actors and actresses as Glo Ambassadors with mouth watering offers. He has also single-handedly sponsored several cultural festivals, including the Offala Festival in Onitsha, and has empowered Nigerians in their numbers to venture into several businesses.

He has sponsored the national teams of Nigeria and Ghana on several national League competitions. He has kitted and sponsored the nation’s Super Eagles Supporters’ Club and the annual GLo CAF Awards. These can only come from a man who exudes panache, humility and humanity.

On this year’s April 29, his seventy-second birthday is another of the several impactful services to humanity. I respectfully send a happy and glorious 72nd birthday to a celebrated guru, a man of peace, an intellectual giant and a global business player. 

Dr. Adenuga is married to the pretty Adefolake Emilia, and the union is blessed with seven successful children.