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.
The Zonal Command Headquarters, Zone 2, Lagos, has announced the appointment and resumption of duty of DSP Afolayan Gbanga as the new Police Public Relations Officer.
The appointment, according to a statement made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), was as a result of the redeployment of Police Public Relations Officers of the rank of CSP by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun.
The statement stated DSP Gbenga’s credentials as follows:
The newly posted Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Afolayan Gbenga who hails from Ijero Ekiti local Government Area of Ekiti State enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force on the 20thof December, 2018 as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police Regular Course 1 and was trained at the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State where hebagged a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics.
DSP Afolayan Gbenga has attended combat operation course at the Police Mobile Force Training school, Ila Orangun, Osun State and Operational Leadership and Command Course (OLCC) at the Police Staff College, Jos, Plateau State.
He has served in various capacities at Enuowa Division, Fanibi division, CP monitoring Unit, Deputy Police Public Relations Officer all in Ondo State Command. He has also served as the Personal Assistant to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in Zone 17 headquarters and Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command. Until his recent deployment as the Police Public Relations Officer, he was serving at the Police Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi, Lagos.
DSP Afolayan Gbenga possesses requisite knowledge and experience in administration, operations, investigations and in Police Public relations and has expressed his deliberate action in ensuring that he creates and solidifies a reliable and trust centered communication as well as a progressive partnership with the community/public through result drivenengagement and service.
The Zone 2 Headquarters hereby call on members of the public, the good people of Lagos and Ogun State, the media, and other stakeholders to extend their usual support and cooperation to the new Police Public Relations Officer as he assumes office and discharge his duties.
He can be reached on 09062011772 and 08166350754
His Social Media handles include;
X: @Gbeyngar
Facebook: Afolayan Gbenga
Instagram: @Gbeyngar
A former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad (retd.), is dead. He was aged 71
The former CJN reportedly died at a hospital in Saudi Arabia, about two weeks before his 72nd birthday on December 31.
Muhammad’s death was confirmed in a condolence statement on Tuesday in Abuja by the Nigerian Association of Muslim Law Students (NAMLAS).
In the statement titled “NAMLAS Condolence Message on the Passing of Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, GCON, Former Chief Justice of Nigeria,” the association described his passing as a significant loss for the country.
“Indeed, to Allah we belong, and to Him we shall return.
“The Nigeria Association of Muslim Law Students (NAMLAS), National Headquarters, Abuja, receives with profound sorrow the news of the passing of Honourable Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, GCON, former Chief Justice of Nigeria. His demise is a monumental loss to the Nigerian judiciary, the legal profession, the Muslim Ummah, and the nation at large,” NAMLAS said.
The association hailed Justice Muhammad as “a towering figure of integrity, humility, and unwavering commitment to justice.”
According to NAMLAS, throughout his judicial career, Muhammad “exemplified the highest ideals of the Bench—fairness, courage, and fidelity to the rule of law.”
“As Chief Justice of Nigeria, he discharged his responsibilities with wisdom and restraint, leaving behind a legacy of service that will continue to guide generations of legal practitioners,” the statement added.
Beyond his role on the Bench, the association noted the late jurist’s mentorship of young Muslim law students across the country.
“To NAMLAS, the late Chief Justice was more than a jurist; he was a fatherly pillar and a source of encouragement to Muslim law students across the country,” it said.
The association also highlighted that the deceased’s “support, moral guidance, and openness to the aspirations of young Muslim legal minds reflected his deep belief in mentorship, continuity, and the nurturing of future custodians of justice.”
It extended condolences to his family, the Nigerian judiciary, and the nation.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, the Nigerian Judiciary, the Government and people of Nigeria, and the entire Muslim Ummah”.
The association offered prayers for the repose of his soul, asking that Allah forgive his shortcomings, accept his good deeds, and grant him “the highest abode in Jannatul Firdaus.”
The newly appointed Police Public Relations Officer for the Ogun State Command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, has assumed office, the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) can report.
Babaseyi was appointed last week by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, following the transfer of all Police Public Relations Officers of the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP). He succeeds CSP Omolola Odutola, who is reported to have maintained a legacy of professionalism, transparency and friendliness, and has been transferred to the Lagos State Police Command for higher national assignments.
DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi is a Barrister-at-Law and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. He holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano, and a Diploma in Law from Osun State University. A distinguished member of the 1st Regular Course of the Nigeria Police Academy, his academic and professional background provides a solid foundation in police operations, investigations, administration, and strategic communication.
He has served in several operational, investigative, and administrative capacities across divisions and specialized units. He previously served as Divisional Crime Officer at Monatan and Kajorepo Divisions, and as Officer-in-Charge of Ilaji and Lagelu Police Posts in Oyo State, where he led criminal investigations, supervised personnel, and coordinated crime prevention strategies. His operational expertise was further strengthened by a three-year deployment with the Police Mobile Force (22 PMF) as Unit Commander. In 2023, he trained at the Nigeria Army School of Special Forces, Buni Yadi, and subsequently led personnel in joint military operations under Operation Hadin Kai across Yobe and Borno States.
DSP Babaseyi also brings strong experience in police administration and public relations to his new role. He previously served as Deputy Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Police Command and as Secretary to the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, where he was deeply involved in command management, strategic planning, and inter-agency coordination. Until his appointment as Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Command, he distinguished himself in media relations and information management.
DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi is happily married with children, and can be reached on 0816 238 2281.
