Adenuga at 70: His private jet called Sisi Paris, car preferences, others
Olabode Opeseitan, a social commentator, guide and global commercial developer, who interacted with the billionaire founding father of Globacom and Conoil, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr., for over three decades, 16 years of which he worked for him, normally at end quarters, has printed certain uncommon attributes of the commercial magnate.
At his Oko-Awo, VI, Lagos set aside of work, Adenuga, in line with Opesitan, historical the the same TV objects for over a decade sooner than at remaining giving the nod for them to be modified. “His automobile preferences consist of Mercedes Benz G Wagon, Differ Rover, sports vehicles, Toyota Landcruiser and Bentley. For some cause, he retains his distance from Rolls Royce.”
Opesitan added: Adenuga also “has a swiftly of non-public jets, at the side of the recently obtained Dassault Falcon, a soundless, productive, magnificent and opulent executive jet built to face up to stormy weather. Named Sisi Paris after one among his grandchildren, the Dassault Falcon is a beauty in the air.”
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Mike Adenuga: 70 instances a genius
By Olabode Opeseitan
Right here’s a celebration of a out of the ordinary African commercial icon and enigma from an insider point of view. I really possess interacted with the billionaire founding father of Globacom and Conoil, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr., for over three decades, 16 years of which I worked for him, normally at end quarters. Right here is an unrestrained chronicling of his uncommon attributes; with anecdotes and perspectives you doubtlessly possess by no map read in varied locations.
THE ENIGMA
It modified into once one among those process-choked days when his conferences lasted till very slack in the evening. He had, a few moments earlier, closed his remaining assembly for the day with senior managers in his signature model. “Well, each person to himself, God for us all,” he acknowledged with reverence, yet commandingly and reassuringly. With each person released, he handled the relaxation info on his desk, handed them to his secretary and crossed over from his Oval Place of job on the golden building to his palatial space, which he fittingly christened Bellissima on the waterfront. Bellissima is an Italian be aware coined from bella, that map handsome, whereas issima, is an absolute superlative. Bellissima, the title, fully complements the gorgeousness of the stainless white structures on the Adenuga villas and their coral-colored roofs. It is likely you’ll perhaps perhaps maybe deem, at that wee hour, he modified into once heading straight to bed once he obtained home. No Sir!
Dr. Adenuga is genetically lucky to require only about three to four hours of sleep a day. The influential Wall Boulevard Journal calls his kind the sleep-less elite who need ultimate a few hours of sleep to feature normally. In that mildew are the likes of Tim Cook of Apple and outdated school American President Donald Trump. Usually, he would form a few calls to give some discover-up directions or evaluate some components of his remaining conferences. Then, he would pour himself a pitcher of 1 among the smoothest cognacs in the field, aloof down and run encourage to the past couple of hours to dissect his outdated day, reflectively.
That, for Dr. Adenuga is a non secular voyage of kinds where he tries to set matters straight between himself and the people he had encountered. Meditatively, he would quiz himself, ‘Changed into I ultimate to him? Changed into she ultimate to me? Is there any further worth to detect and fetch a bigger end result beyond the guidelines different teams from Globacom to Conoil Producing, Conoil Plc, Cobblestone Properties & Property and others supplied? How agree with we optimize our property?’ He would maybe perhaps be at this for up to a few or four hours sooner than calling it a day. That is how the genius mindset of Chairman Adenuga works. Upon deep reflection, if in the day outdated to this there modified into once someone the Chairman felt he modified into once unfair to, he would form amends, normally not in an apology however in voluntary compensatory actions. If there modified into once someone he felt modified into once unfair to him, he would also take corrective measures. As generous as he progressively is, he doesn’t spare the rods when he needs to form people myth for their misdeeds. The set aside he acts the fastest is on any topic that would maybe perhaps stimulate commercial increase. He takes no topic motion is required to fetch results, particularly where the chance is hot and new, even though it requires a day out to doubtlessly the most a ways away half of the field. There had been people in the Mike Adenuga Crew who had travelled to the US, Europe, China and other parts of Africa and had no clue they were travelling as end as four to 24 hours sooner than they boarded their flights. No other commercial chief I really possess known can match his mettle through pulling the entire strings to fetch a complicated end result. That perhaps is the strongest staying energy of an icon his admirers call the Colossal Guru.
HOW HE PRESIDES OVER MEETINGS
Dr. Adenuga is a strict disciplinarian who runs his organisations with traits of the expose-and-control development of a defense pressure hierarchy. A perfectionist, he expects his officers and consultants to be instructed, organised, adequately ready and conform to the rules of his set aside of work. “You can’t agree with that right here. Right here is the Place of job of the Chairman”, he would hiss and remind someone stepping out of line. He’s aggravated by tardiness and unintelligent responses. A voracious reader and mental explorationist, he eternally brings himself up to the designate on the latest traits in the corporations he’s interesting about, from oil exploration to the downstream, banking to finance, steady property, hospitality, avenue development and telecommunications. It is likely you’ll perhaps perhaps maybe not pull the wool over his eyes. One moment he’s discussing the community configuration administration draw for Globacom alongside with his technical group, the subsequent moment, he’s discussing the outcomes of geological surveys and offshore/onshore drilling of oil alongside with his Conoil Producing administration group. The the same day, he’s getting solutions from his representatives at Julius Berger, where he has controlling shares, and Cobblestone, the multibillion steady property firm which has luxurious properties unfold across the land. Right here is ultimate a snippet of his long-established undertakings. He doubtlessly would possess slowed it down by now.
He will most seemingly be politically and economically savvy. He has unassailable systems on the correct approach to repair the Nigerian economic system. I’m able to ultimate imagine how noteworthy Nigerian and African leaders can faucet from his profound solutions, most of that are a bigger bang for the buck, even without asking to be paid any buck. It’s there ultimate for the asking!
How prolonged or short he spends with every presenting group depends on how noteworthy worth he gets from or adds to the presentation. He needs only a few slides to resolve if a presentation is price his precious time. But, he shows a disarming humility, especially when there are visiting consultants or advisers. He’s speedy to space and convert alternatives. He sees the boardroom and a entire organisation devour a soccer group where only the avid gamers in apt fetch withhold their shirts. “All people must battle for his shirt”, he would whisper. But, he shows the milk of human kindness to his people. He gets private with workers he normally interacts with, cares about their welfare over and beyond the advantages they fetch from the draw. Dr. Adenuga will most seemingly be a sturdy storyteller who has shared several components of his life relevant to matters under discussion with officers for the length of or after conferences.
HOW HE KEEPS VALUABLE STAFF
Despite his strict routine and eminent quote of, “We would maybe perhaps snarl and play together, don’t let the hierarchy be lost on you,” Dr. Adenuga is amongst doubtlessly the most alive to and most caring employers of labour which it is likely you’ll ever survey. When a valued workers departs voluntarily or is requested to quit over certain developments, the Chairman doesn’t survey it as a permanent separation. If there might maybe be a gap later and he remembers any of the outdated fashioned workers he rates as ‘livewires’ who can just like the void, he’ll traipse after such workers, entice, charm, incentivize or take any step necessary to lift him/her encourage. Dr. Adenuga goes as a ways as speaking straight to the workers or sending emissaries to them to manufacture their self assurance and rekindle their collaboration. Biblical? In all chance, yes. Leaders can leave a herd and traipse after a lost or missing sheep. For a commercial chief who can secure the cash for to rent any workers from wherever in the field, that’s a rare act of humility, successfully-organized-heartedness and pragmatism. About two years after I had left Globacom in 2020, I obtained a shock call from the Chairman. “Bode, mo ti’n wa e. Nibo lo wa lat’ojo yi” (Bode, I really had been procuring for you, where possess you ever been all this whereas)? Then he added, “We shouldn’t be removed from every other. I shouldn’t be procuring for you once I need you otherwise you, procuring for me whereas you will have me. There’s not any easy approach to enlighten goodbye however there would maybe perhaps additionally be a fulfilling map.” I thanked him for his fatherly admonition, and we now possess kept in contact ever since. In point of fact that the Chairman really doesn’t need me to the purpose of in the hunt for me out. It is ultimate his nature to be kind to his workers and mates he regarded as precious after they were with him.
ROLE IN TURNING WIZ KID, OTHERS INTO GLOBAL STARS
The arena on the present time celebrates Wizkid, Burna Boy and other Nigerian song superstars who possess become global icons. Dr. Adenuga played a ample half in accelerating their journeys into global reckoning. He advised his administration group to have interaction the fledgling song stars then as worth ambassadors and take them on musical and comedy excursions across the nation. A good deal of them had the chance to create in varied parts of Nigeria for the principle time, courtesy of the Adenuga gesture. Empowerment is one among the core reasons he based Globacom. He wanted the fish seller in Epe or the yam seller in Aboh Mbaise or the farmer in Dawakin, Kano to be in a space to realize their customers and enhance their commerce. When things were complicated for comedians, Nollywood stars and musicians, the endorsement and efficiency costs they obtained from Globacom helped in no petite approach to query them via. Many of the beneficiaries are eternally grateful for that deed. His affect modified into once also felt in soccer across Nigeria, Ghana and at CAF where he pumped thousands and thousands of greenbacks to advertise and form African soccer for honest about 20 years.
ADENUGA’S EXTENSIVE CONNECTIONS
The Chairman has an intensive community of connections, and he has kept more than a few them in his closest circle over the years. In the innermost of the circle are the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, who is his older cousin, the Esama of Benin, Sir Cabriel Igbinedion, and his son, Chief Fortunate Igbinedion, boardroom guru Mr. Bode Emmanuel, Identical outdated IBM Haruna, Identical outdated Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, Dr. Seyi Roberts and Chief Obi Adimora. This list is by no map exhaustive. Some other of the elite senior mates is Identical outdated Alani Akinrinade, whom he met because the ample brother of his end childhood buddy. He has nurtured a sublime friendship with the Akinrinades over the years. He’s largely fond of Identical outdated Akinrinade, who modified into once kind to them in those days when the formative years were looking out for to secure their toes. The noteworthy list also contains past and gift heads of utter across the field, Governors, Senators, historical rulers, mavens, mates and colleagues. Many thought he would be in a receive 22 situation when two of his mates, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, went head-to-head in the relaxation presidential election.
They forgot that he’s a boardroom virtuoso who understands the dynamics of leadership contests in Nigeria and would by no map be caught in the crossfire. His approach over time is to leave politicking to politicians and protect in his consolation zone, the boardroom and commercial administration
Commercial
RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS CHILDREN
Esteem every caring and doting father, the Chairman loves his young people to bits. He spoils them with gifts and finds time to abet to them despite his extraordinarily busy agenda. He prioritises family dinner that would maybe perhaps be not less than once every week, normally after staring at motion pictures together on the family’s luxuriant cinema hall. He also comes laborious on them after they fetch on the contaminated aspect of his strict rules. He once advised one among his young people whom he needed to compel to abet a assembly after inquiring for to be excused, “Come rain or shine, I’m at this desk, working. If I’m able to agree with that without giving excuses, then you shouldn’t give excuses. The one ingredient I owe you is to give you a apt education. Afterwards, whereas you occur to’d devour to protect right here, you’re going to be welcome, however it is indispensable to adhere to my directions”. Absolutely, he cherishes them and ought to agree with anything for them, however he wants to relate them in his strict disciplinarian map, believing this might maybe occasionally give a clutch to them in sustaining the good legacy he’s bestowing on them. All people end to the Adenugas is aware of that his scions possess also fully embraced the ethos of laborious work wholeheartedly and they also’re adept at what they agree with. He once advised me after a assembly at his Oko-Awo home set aside of work, quickly sooner than relocating to the Banana Island home, that his wish modified into once at quit his flourishing empire to his young people.
ADENUGA’S LEGENDARY GENEROSITY
Dr. Adenuga’s generosity is smartly-known. He offers private rewards devour no other billionaire, as opposed to doubtlessly a few devour Oprah Winfrey. “If God has given you this fetch of property, it is not for you and your loved ones by myself,” he would whisper. That is the guiding philosophy influencing the very best likely map he reaches out via his wealth.
All 365 days spherical, he splashes generous gifts on prolonged family, mates, mates, workers and the less privileged. The gifts would maybe perhaps differ from uncommon worth-new vehicles to costly perfumes, designer baggage, designer wristwatches and cash. And for the length of every festive season, he has a prolonged list of beneficiaries he touches with life-reworking gifts; some on rotation, others in perpetuity. He’s detailed and exquisitely tasteful, not only in the usual of gifts however also in the very best likely map the gifts are supplied. His Christmas playing cards are not only the one designed however the principle to come. Recipients possess handled them as valuables to be proudly displayed. He’s unorthodox in living out his precepts. He does things his like map and the Chairman acts and moves when he wants to. He doesn’t devour to be over pressurised.
His firm, Globacom, recently revamped and furnished the rundown home of a outdated school nationwide soccer hero, Peter Fregene, who had been in financial hurt. That altruism has the imprimatur of Dr. Adenuga written in all places in the set aside it. He feels a deep sense of inexplicable joy when he sends his group to ogle for and rehabilitate Nigerians whose predicaments caught his attention. Usually, he would ship his group to traipse and enquire relating to the successfully-being of a chum and affiliate he had not heard from in a whereas and make certain such modified into once successfully taken care of. He also loves enabling empowerment promotions, the utilization of his corporations to give out jaw-dropping prizes devour houses, vehicles, hefty sums of cash and tools of commerce such as stitching machines and tricycles, amongst others.
HOW HE INDULGES SELF
The chairman enjoys the apt things of life and pampers himself in worthy systems. But, he believes that if it is not damaged, don’t repair it. At his Oko-Awo, VI, Lagos set aside of work, he historical the the same TV objects for over a decade sooner than at remaining giving the nod for them to be modified. His automobile preferences consist of Mercedes Benz G Wagon, Differ Rover, sports vehicles, Toyota Landcruiser and Bentley. For some cause, he retains his distance from Rolls Royce.
He also has a swiftly of non-public jets, at the side of the recently obtained Dassault Falcon, a soundless, productive, magnificent and opulent executive jet built to face up to stormy weather. Named Sisi Paris after one among his grandchildren, the Dassault Falcon is a beauty in the air.
He has palatial houses in Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, Accra, London and Johannesburg. The Lagos villa is perhaps the most in depth of them all with to take into accounta good change of mansions, a chapel, a cause-built auditorium, an set aside of work tower, a general set aside of work for his non-public workers and an executive conserving bay for net page visitors, a space for home workers, a gym, an Olympic measurement swimming pool, a helipad and a boat dock. The Chairman is a connoisseur of heavenly wine, champagne and a energy dresser who objects his like dressing standards. Every so normally, he invites particular mates over to relate the evening with him and would maybe perhaps prepare for prime-of-the-differ entertainers to tickle their devour, even in the event that they are ultimate a couple. Usually, he also arranges to possess dinner or lunch alongside with his only performing workers, normally at one of the necessary choicest restaurants in city. Forever taking a ogle out for the consolation of his people, he would scan the room at long-established intervals and nudge those that were not relaxed sufficient to drink or eat more.
A GENIUS LIKE NO OTHER
As a commercial icon, he reacts to disorders in a manner fully varied from many other commercial elites. No topic the storm, he’s constantly aloof. Dr. Adenuga has spent a really in depth half of the relaxation two and a half decades of his life nurturing Globacom to the mountainous worth it has become. He built all of it from the bottom up, spending thousands of painstaking days and nights alongside with his group. At some stage in, he has been eminent domestically and globally, at instances maligned and some instances persecuted. He has stepped on toes; others possess stepped on his toes. Usually, he would fetch his group to protect his honour, at other instances, he would let it bolt. He knew he would maybe perhaps not please each person and he endeavours to repair his shortcomings. In later years, he developed a thick skin to coarse critics. When he sees a profound gesture or publication celebrating his exploits, he reaches out to notify his gratitude, normally for my half. He likes to withhold his head under the parapet, as he loves to frame it.
Dr. Adenuga has by no map confronted any executive in energy. He would constantly devise his like ingenious approach to co-exist harmoniously with the manager of the day. He believes he has too noteworthy at stake to address any executive. He uses diplomacy, tact and rapprochement to reconcile differences. Essentially the most vindictive executive for Dr. Adenuga stays the Olusegun Obasanjo regime, which even pressured him to enter self exile. From more than a few experiences, Obasanjo wanted him (Dr. Adenuga) to implicate Identical outdated Babangida and lie to the Economic and Monetary Crimes Charge (EFCC) that the Identical outdated owns Globacom. ‘Whereas you ascertain that to Nuhu, all the pieces will most seemingly be gorgeous’, he modified into once advised. At that time, Nuhu Ribadu modified into once the Chairman of EFCC. Adenuga couldn’t trace why someone would want him to lie towards himself over his like commercial. Adenuga refused. He modified into once hounded out of city and the relaxation is now history. For Identical outdated Babangida, that modified into once a commendable act of courage by Adenuga for refusing to accede to a trumped-up payment to implicate him (Babangida), raze his reputation after which maybe give his traducers the weapon they need to prosecute him.
HIS LOVE FOR SOYINKA, MAITAMA SULE, OJUKWU
Dr. Adenuga is a grasp strategist. When he launched Globacom, he selected Glo with Pride because the payoff line. It modified into once a rallying call to the entire nation to be gay with our heritage and accomplishments. To ingrain the pricetag in the heart of fellow countrymen as a nationwide hero to admire, he sought out the toughen of Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka; one among Nigeria’s best likely diplomats, Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule, and the Ikemba Nnewi, Dark Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. All of them had one ingredient in smartly-liked. They were elder statesmen who were respected vastly in their spheres of affect. After some convincing, they agreed to agree with it to toughen a young man who modified into once making the nation proud. Professor Soyinka modified into once a complicated nut to crack. He made it categorically certain that he wouldn’t agree with worth endorsements. Dr. Adenuga counted on the poet’s closest allies such as Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi to convince him to toughen the imaginative and prescient on the situation that his (Professor Soyinka’s) message would not be historical for product endorsements. When the messages were launched on nationwide tv, they grew to become an instantaneous hit across the nation. Because the principle fully owned Nigerian telecommunication worth to be launched after two international brands in the the same category had enjoyed a two-365 days head birth, Globacom wanted this kind of successfully-organized intervention to face an opportunity. It complemented the Per-2d Billing narrative and propelled Globacom to become the darling of the nation.
LET THE CELEBRATIONS BEGIN
To all fond admirers of Dr. Adenuga worldwide, it is an unprecedented moment of inestimable joy to query an icon of this magnitude clock the ripe age of 70 on April 29, 2023. Right here isn’t the moment to nit-pick about his life or birth documenting his shortcomings. Right here’s a duration to soak ourselves in unadulterated joy as we commemorate a out of the ordinary nationwide asset, father, husband, uncle, mentor, visionary, thinker and juggernaut. Wherever you’re going to be on April 29, please like your glass and let us toast to the apt successfully being and longer lifetime of this unprecedented achiever who holds the highest nationwide honour of three predominant worldwide locations, at the side of the Colossal Commander of the Expose of the Niger (GCON) in Nigeria, Accomplice of the Star of Ghana and Commander of the Legion of Honour in France.
Opeseitan is a social commentator, guide and global commercial developer.
