Personality in Focus
Adenuga: 71 Years of Unrivalled Philanthropy and Endless Empowerments
By Gabriel Oguntola
One of Africa’s richest men and Chairman of Nigeria’s telecommunications Company, Globacom Dr. Michael Adenuga Jr is 71 years old. Happy Birthday to the great philanthropist and entrepreneur par excellence.
The quiet billionaire learnt early from the famous saying of Walt Disney who posited that”The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing”.
Adenuga from onset has always been reticent. He does his things quietly and runs his businesses without seeking attention. He transitioned from running family business, after schooling in the United States to starting his businesses and moving into the top league in Nigeria without noise.
He became a billionaire in his thirties to the consternation and surprise of Nigerians. Such is the style of the man that has come to be known for his smartness and ingenuity. He is always one step ahead, hence his success across all sectors of the economy.
Today, he plays in all the vital sectors of the nation’s economy. From Banking to Telecoms, Oil and Gas as well others that are not known to the public. He employed thousands of Nigerians, and he empowers many others through endless philanthropy.
We cannot count the number of Nigerians that has benefitted from Adenuga’s generosity. They are always done quietly, and most times beneficiaries are warned not talk about it.
Few years ago, he donated 500million to Baylesa State after the state was ravaged by flood, he donated N1.5 billion during Covid pandemic to Federal Government, 1 million dollars was also donated to Super Eagles after winning nations Cup in south Africa to mention a few.
By the age of 50, he founded Globacom while his other companies were founded between early thirties and 40. He became a billionaire at 35 and by his 51st birthday Dr. Adenuga was already sitting atop what is generally regarded as one of the continent’s largest business empires.
In each of these sectors, Dr. Adenuga has moulded his companies into major players. In the oil and gas sector, for instance, Conoil Producing, the upstream arm of the conglomerate, made history by becoming the first Nigerian company to strike oil and produce it in commercial quantity. Same was the case when he had two banks, Equatorial Trust Bank and Devcom Merchant Bank that were among top ones in the country.
In telecoms, Globacom remains the most innovative network in Nigeria, with many firsts since it rolled out services in 2003. His investment in real estate is said to be worth over billions of dollars. These companies provide direct employment to thousands of Nigerians and other nationalities.
His contribution to the business across the world and endless philanthropy has been recognized in different countries including Nigeria, where he holds the highest civilian honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) and in Ghana, he was awarded the highest civilian honour of Companion of the Star of Ghana (CSG).
French President, Emmanuel Macron also honoured him with the highest National honour of France, ‘Chavalier de la Legion d Honnuer”. Macron commended Adenuga for his promotion of the French culture in Nigeria where he single-handledly rebuilt the Allance Francaise, Lagos located at the Mike Adenuga Centre Ikoyi.
City People magazine, Nigeria’s King of soft –sell in 2022 captured Dr Adenuga lifestyle thus:
He works round the clock. He is always thinking of the next possible business deal. He is always looking for the next deal to close. He was one of the businessmen who saw the role Data was going to play in our lives and went for a Telecoms license earlier. Today, the rest is history. He is now the Grandmaster of Data.
Mike Adenuga is one of the Bigger Boys in the world of business. He knows the Game. He plays the game. He is adept at it. He knows the principle of winning. He has set his own rules. He has his own winning formula, which has worked for him over the last 40 years. Though he is from Ijebu Igbo, he was born and bred in Ibadan. He will always tell all who cares to listen that he is an Ibadan Boy. He is a product of Ibadan Grammar School. He has a breathtaking house in Ibadan. That is where he often stays when he needs to relax or unwind. Many often wonder whether he relaxes or not. Yes. He does.
City People can authoritatively reveal that though Mike Adenuga is a great Philanthropist and one of the biggest spenders when it comes to helping other people, he does not like the recipients of his largesse to tell the world whatever kind of help he has rendered. Once he touches your life, you are made forever. But the Golden rule for you to keep getting more support from him is for you to keep mum”.
Former President Buhari, few years ago while speaking about Dr. Adenuga on his Birthday said, “Apart from creating jobs through entrepreneurship, Adenuga’s contribution to the development of sports and the entertainment industry had remained remarkable. These sectors of the economy had continued to provide lifelines for many, and inspiring ingenuity and creativity. His exploration and encouragement of youth entrepreneurship in the country would always be remembered, while his penchant for helping the less privileged through scholarships and healthcare financing deserves more commendations”.
Happy 71st Birthday to Dr. Adenuga.
Personality in Focus
Thanks for Your Unwavering Trust, Patronage, Emmanuelking Hails Customers, Partners in New Year Message
The Chairman, Chief Executive Officer of Adron Group, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, has expressed profound appreciation to Adron customers across Nigeria, and in the Diaspora for their unwavering trust, patronage, and continued recommendations of the company’s products throughout 2025.
In his New Year goodwill message, Emmanuelking acknowledged that the loyalty and confidence of Adron customers have remained the backbone of the company’s sustained growth, innovation, and expanding footprint across the country.
“On behalf of the Board, Management, and the entire Adron Group family, I sincerely thank our esteemed customers within Nigeria and outside the country for believing in our vision and standing with us throughout 2025. Your trust, patronage, and referrals continue to inspire us to do more,” he stated.
He noted that every investment made by customers whether in land acquisition or home ownership reflects their confidence in the Adron brand and reinforces the company’s resolve to consistently deliver value, quality, and transparency in the real estate sector.
Reflecting on the outgoing year, Emmanuelking described 2025 as a year of collective progress and impact, driven largely by customer support and loyalty. He added that the company remains deeply grateful to customers for their role in strengthening Adron’s position as a leading real estate brand in Nigeria.
As the company steps into 2026, the Adron Group helmsman reassured customers of the brand’s unwavering commitment to service excellence, stressing that the company will continue to prioritize availability and affordability as its core mission.
“Adron Group will not relent in its service delivery. Our driving force remains the availability of quality properties and the affordability that enables Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to become proud property owners. This commitment will continue to shape our offerings and innovations in the new year,” he affirmed.
Emmanuelking concluded by wishing customers a prosperous and rewarding New Year, assuring them of greater opportunities, improved service delivery, and innovative housing solutions in 2026.
Co-convener of BringBackOurGirls Movement, Aisha Yesufu, has declared her readiness to become a card-carrying member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The activist said this on Wednesday, hours after Peter Obi defected from the Labour Party to the ADC in Enugu.
She called on well-meaning Nigerians to come together in unity to salvage the country come 2027 general elections.
“I have never been a card-carrying member of any political party, but I will be a card-carrying member of the ADC.
“Enough is enough. There’s no more time for us to keep shedding tears. We have cried too much.
“From this moment going forward, we will fight for Nigeria. We will have a great nation.
“ADC will take Nigeria to a point where the son-of-a-nobody can become somebody without knowing anybody,” she said.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, has officially wed Queen Zaynab Ngohemba, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.
The announcement was made public on Friday by a facebook user and member of the Dajoh family, Abraham Double-d Dajoh, via a celebratory social media post.
He confirmed the union between the high-ranking government official and the former Olori of the Ife Kingdom.
The Dajoh family described the union as “beautiful” and “uncommon,” as they formally welcomed her into their fold in Benue State.
In a statement that quickly went viral, the Dajoh family expressed their collective joy, signalling a significant chapter for the SGF’s household.
“We, the entire Dajoh Family, happily join our daddy, uncle and brother, His Excellency, The Secretary To The Government Of The Federation, Sen. George Akume Jugu Dajoh in welcoming his new and uncommon wife, Queen Zaynab Ngohemba-George Akume Dajoh, into the Dajoh family,” the post read.
The family further extended their appreciation to the political associates and supporters of the SGF, urging them to remain steadfast in their loyalty to him as he embarks on this personal journey.
“We appreciate and thank the fans and supporters of Sen. Akume for always standing by him. We enjoin every one of you to continue to support his Excellency even in this beautiful union with Queen Zaynab,” the post further read.
Queen Zaynab, who was previously known as Olori Wuraola during her 17-month marriage to the Ooni of Ife (which ended in 2017), was ushered into her new home with deep cultural reverence.
The Dajoh family emphasised the importance of their ancestral roots in Mbakor and the wider Benue State.
“Welcome to Benue State, the Food Basket of the Nation, welcome to Mbakor, the seat of leadership of the Tiv nation and welcome to the Dajoh family, the home of your darling husband. Welcome home, Queen Zaynab,” the statement concluded.
The announcement coincided with the festive period, as the family used the opportunity to wish Nigerians a happy holiday season.
“We wish you all a happy Christmas Celebration and a Prosperous New Year,” the post read.
Akume, a former Governor of Benue State and a politician, currently serves as a key figure in the President Bola Tinubu administration.
The news of his marriage to Queen Zaynab—a prominent humanitarian and former royal—has become a major talking point across the country’s social and political circles.
When contacted on the telephone on Friday, Akume’s spokesman, Yomi Odunuga, confirmed the marriage.
He, however, said contrary to reports that the wedding was held on December 24, the marriage is over a year old.
“I can confirm the marriage. However, contrary to the rumour that the marriage was concretised in Gboko on Christmas eve when the couple appeared together at an event to celebrate Christmas, it was actually a marriage that is over a year old,” Odunuga said.
Source: The Punch
