ADENUGA 70 THINGS ABOUT THE BILLIONAIRE I HAVEN'T

Iconic businessman and legendary philanthropist, Dr Mike Adenuga Jr , is 70 years old today, Saturday, April 29, 2023-and even though I have not had a one-on-one encounter with him, here are 70 things I have come to know and marvel about him:

1 He is a very, very mysterious and unusual personality who rarely socializes, even with fellow billionaires

2 Reaching him on phone or even bumping into him at events could be likened to the Biblical camel passing through the eye of a needle However, whenever he needs to see you, it’s at the snap of his finger

3 He is one of the luckiest Nigerians and Africans to be decorated with the highest national honours of his country, Nigeria (Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger); Companion of the Star of Ghana and Commander of the Legion of Honour in France

4 He was born on Wednesday, April 29, 1953

5 His parents were Michael Agbolade Adenuga, Snr and Juliana Oyindamola Adenuga (nee Onashile)

6 His father was a teacher and his mother a businesswoman.

7 His siblings are Olushola Osunsade, Folashade Akande, Demola Adenuga and Bunmi Adegbola

8. They are Ijebus (in Ogun State), but grew up in Ibadan, Oyo State

9. He attended Ebenezer Primary School, Oke-Ado, Ibadan; Ibadan Grammar School and then Northwest Oklahoma University and Pace University, both in America where he read Business Administration

10 As a child, his nickname was Belly (pronounced Bellair)-and back then in school, he was a good goalkeeper

11 He was the first of his father ’s children to learn how to drive

12 Among his children-Oyin, Jide, Paddy, Bella, Eniola, Bimbo, Sade and Niyi

13 Currently married to Titi Joyce Adenuga, his first marriage to Adefolake Emilia Marquis failed after some years and producing five children

14 He reportedly likes his women fleshy

15 He used to be a taxi driver in America

16 He once owned two banksEquitorial Trust Bank and Devcom Merchant Bank

17 In his multi billion business empire are Glo, Conoil Producing, Conoil Plc, Cobblestones Properties and Estates, etc

18 His telecommunications company, Globacom, pioneered per second billing in Nigeria

A master strategist and quintessential marketer, to usher Glo into the market, he convinced three national icons – Ezeigbo Gburugburu, Dim Chukwuemeka OdumegwuOjukwu, Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka and diplomat extraordinaire, Alhaji Maitama Sule to model for the brand

20 He was also the first Nigerian to strike oil in large quantity via his company –Consolidated Oil

21 The first two businesses he did when he returned from America were importation of lace materials and sale of detachable car stereos

22 His current sobriquets include Spirit of Africa, The Guru and Chairman

23 A very, very shy man, you will find him on the very few occasions he steps out, sitting all alone, but with his bodyguards not far away.

24 Also a warrior, those who incur his wrath hardly go scot-free – and a typical example is his former confidential secretary, Nora Olumide, whom he fought to a standstill in 2021 Another example is how hard he fought to reclaim his telecoms license after losing millions of Dollars to the government over the initially complicated license

25 He hardly eats outside, except at his favorite Italian restaurant on Victoria Island, Lagos.

26 He dots on his family and sometimes takes them out for dinner to this same restaurant where a special place is usually reserved for them

27 His favorite drinks are Crystal champagne and exquisite cognac

28 All his shirts are customized, with his initials (MAJ) neatly printed on them

29 Letters, no matter how important and wherefrom, are not accepted in his office

30 He is an extremely generous man whose gifts, both financially and otherwise, usually leave beneficiaries speechless

31 Working for him is a 24-hour job as there are hardly holidays, especially for his inner members of staff In fact, he can call staffers at the dead of the night, with instructions to proceed on assignments outside the country at once

32 He is one hands-on business owner who is unapologetic about micromanaging his workers

33 He goes to any length to keep and retain his key members of staff.

34 Politically and economically savvy, he smells and spots business opportunities from miles away

35 A powerful storyteller, one of his business philosophies is striking when it’s hottest and before the terrain becomes saturated

36 A disciplinarian, perfectionist and voracious reader, he is said to be always on top of happenings in all the sectors he plays in

37 A workaholic, it’s not unusual for visitors and workers to still be in his office around 2 a.m!

38 He is said to sleep for just three to four hours daily

39 Among his favourite quotes are “Everyone to himself, God for us all”, “You can’t do that here This is the office of the Chairman”, “Everyone must fight for his shirt”, “We may laugh and play together, but don’t let the hierarchy be lost on you”, “Big businesses don’t fight government They work with government”, “If God has given you this kind of resources, it is not for you and your family alone”

40. Two major events that shook him greatly and also contributed to his reclusive lifestyle: (1) the armed robbery attack at his Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja, Lagos home (in 1982) and (2) the shocking invasion of his home and subsequent arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) under ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo (in 2006)

41 He went on exile as soon as he was granted bail and only returned after late President Umaru Yar ’Adua had succeeded Obasanjo

42 He has palatial homes in Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, Accra, London and Johannesburg. His home in Banana Island, Lagos is called “Bellisima on the Waterfront ” Bella is an Italian word for gorgeous while issima means superlative

43 His favorite automobiles include Mercedes Benz G-Wagon, Range Rover, Toyota Land cruiser, Bentley and sports cars His latest private jet is a Dassault Falcon, which he calls Sisi Paris

44 Among his buddies and confidants are General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, Sir Gabriel Igbinedion and his former governor son, Lucky, Mr Bode Emmanuel, General IBM Haruna (rtd), Chief Obi Adimora, General Alani Akinrinade (rtd), Brigadier General Tunde Ogbeha (rtd), General David Jemibewon (rtd)

45 One of the biggest supporters of anything entertainment and football, he sometimes invites leading entertainers (music and comedy) to thrill him and a few friends in the cinema hall inside his Banana Island home

46 In Ijebu, he holds the chieftaincy title of Apesin and annually sponsors the Ojude Oba Festival

47 His favorite animal is bull and his favorite colour, gold As a matter of fact, nearly everything in his office is coated in gold while his door, letterhead and envelope have a bull emblazoned on them

48 A book written on him (Mike AdenugaAfrica’s Business Guru-by Mike Awoyinfa & Dimgba Igwe) was allegedly mopped up on his instructions because he felt it was too revealing

50 Without having met, he sends me a Christmas and New Year card every year Interestingly, his card is usually the first one I receive for the year.

51 He equally gave me a Glo line which his company credits every month – and this has been so for over 10 years

51-70-Haba! A man should have some secrets. So, let’s spare him and wish him a happy 70th birthday