Personality in Focus
Happy Birthday Dr. Mike Adenuga, a Rare Gem at 72
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By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
Birthdays are times for celebrations. Birthdays are times for reflections. Birthdays mean different things to different people. People celebrate their birthdays for different reasons. For me, birthdays serve as a time for gratitude and appreciation for life and impact on the world.
One of the lessons life has taught me is to succeed. This is so true because when one succeeds, the person will be celebrated by all and sundry. Today, the world celebrates a destiny child, a rare gem, an uncommon achiever and a leader of excellence who has distinguished himself from ordinary and superordinary beings. He is none other than the amiable and amicable Dr. Michael Ishola Agbolade Adenuga, GCON, who will be celebrating his 72 years old on 29th of April.
Indeed, this great feat calls for celebration. It’s not easy to live for 72 awesome years and talk less of being successful. That’s like killing two birds with one stone. If truth be God has been extremely faithful to Chief Adenuga because very few minds will experience his trajectory and still come out alive. Some might even attempt suicidal thoughts when they lose one-third of his fortunes, but here is a man of uncommon courage who knows what he wants, but more importantly, he knows who he is and the spirit working in him.
Dr. Adenuga is a man of his strides, he means different things to different people. To some he’s a spirit you can’t see but can feel. To some, he’s a philanthropist, to others, he’s an uncommon businessman. Depending on how you feel or see him, you are right in your own perspective.
I began to take a closer look at this great man when I was writing my first book Design Your Destiny. My chapter two was focused on “Understanding Your Uniqueness”. I did a research of some extraordinary great minds, who have truly succeeded in unique ways, and Dr. Adenuga’s name came to my subconscious mind. I took my time to study him and his works, and I found him an uncommon being the world, and especially youths need to know. Let’s talk about Dr. Adenuga’s life and accomplishments.
Upbringing: I can imagine how grateful his parents were to see his great strides. I’m a big believer in names. Yes, names can be symbolic. The name one answers has a role to play in their life. Do you know your name can either attract a blessing or curse you. When I did a little research about his name AGBOLADE, it means “the child who has attracted wealth to his family”. Can you see how symbolic a name can be?
On his philanthropist nature. I personally think this is one of his greatest assets and arsenal. Take it or leave it, Dr. Adenuga is one of the most influential givers the world has ever known, if not the most influential. Here is a man who gives and supports people unannounced. Sometimes, he pleads to be anonymous in his generous deeds. Here is a man who doesn’t care about one’s status before he gives. He gives you what he personally uses. For instance, if he drives a G-Wagon or Mercedes Benz, he has the heart of giving his friends, similar gift not minding if you are of a lesser status than him.
A friend of mine once said to me, Henry, if I’m wealthy, intelligent and influential, it should reflect on my friends. When I reflect on that statement and juxtapose it with Dr. Adenuga’s lifestyle, I can see similarities. It simply tells me Dr. Adenuga is a very humble man.
No doubt this extraordinary man has experienced one short fall or made one mistake or the other, but which human hasn’t made a mistake in life? What is important is picking up after a mistake.
Despite his mistakes which have metamorphosed into success. If truth be told Dr. Adenuga has spent 72 years of great achievements, unrivalled philanthropy and exceptional successes. And his mistakes have culminated in this success because he failed fast and rose exponentially.
Dr. Adenuga’s love for this country is unparalleled. He knows himself and knows what he wants. That’s why he returned to Nigeria after his academic studies in the United States of America to begin his business which later transcended to a conglomerate.
It’s humbling to know Dr. Adenuga ventured into oil in his early 40’s and birthed Globalcom on his 50th birthday. That’s a rare feat. He literally changed Nigeria telecommunication with the introduction of per second billing when his competitors were using per minute billing. That goes to show his love for humanity.
He also made it possible for Nigerians, Africans and the less privileged to have access to a SIM card at an affordable price of N5,000 as opposed to N20,000 and N30,000 prevailing by some competitors. Again, this goes to show, he doesn’t exploit humanity.
His business acumen and uncommon courage can be seen when he became the first African to successfully and independently finance a submarine cable that runs from Europe to Africa to help the continent’s telecommunication system to be better. Anyone who thinks it is easy can give it a try.
Dr. Adenuga is a man of uncommon fate. Here is a man who believes “impossible” is only found in the dictionary. He has an uncanny way of figuring this out. He’s a testament of the saying, those who are saying it can’t be done are usually interrupted by those who are doing it.
Dr. Adenuga has numerous qualities many of his counterparts don’t have, globally. Here is an extraordinary man who is dedicated to his business, he’s very detailed. He’s very diligent, he perseveres to the latter and most importantly, he has an undying faith in God. I strongly believe it is the prayer most people pray for him that has given this uncommon favor despite his own endeavors.
Dr. Adenuga’s work has received national and global recognition. He’s a proud recipient of the highest civilian award in France, the award of Commander of the Legion of Honour. He is the first Nigerian to be so decorated with the award for being “a true role model for Africa” who has contributed immensely to the growth of the African and French economy.
He also holds the Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON), Nigeria’s second highest national honor, second only to the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), which is only reserved for Nigerian Presidents and Heads of state. That speaks a lot about his rare personality.
In conclusion, as we celebrate this great man, let’s learn from his wealth of knowledge, wisdom, trajectory, business exploits, philanthropist nature, extraordinary humility and most importantly his belief and faith in God.
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with the New York City Department of Correction as the Legal Coordinator. He’s the founder of Gloemi. He’s a Transformative Human Capacity and Mindset coach. He is also a public speaker, youth advocate, creative writer and author of Design Your Destiny Design Your and Unleash Your Destiny . He can be reached via info@gloemi.com
Personality in Focus
Malian Singer Salif Keita Pulls Out of South African Festival over Xenophobic Attacks
Malian music legend, Salif Keïta, has cancelled upcoming commercial performances in South Africa, including an appearance at the Mangaung African Cultural Festival (Macufe), citing what he described as “xenophobic violence” against African migrants.
The decision comes as anti-migrant protests intensify in one of Africa’s most industrialised economies, prompting thousands of foreign nationals to return home and increasingly straining cultural ties across the continent.
Explaining his decision, Keïta said he could not “ignore the reports of xenophobic violence against our African brothers and sisters.”
“When I see migrants attacked, I do not see ‘politics’. I see people looking for work, safety, and dignity.”
The 77-year-old musician stressed that his decision was not a rejection of South Africans.
“To be clear — I am not closing the door on South Africa. I am closing the door on violence,” he said.
Often described as the “Golden Voice of Africa”, Keïta has spent more than five decades in music and remains one of the continent’s most recognisable artists.
The award-winning Malian singer has earned four Grammy nominations and won France’s Victoire de la Musique for World Music Album of the Year in 2010 for La Différence.
His ties to South Africa also stretch back decades, including a performance at the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert at Wembley Stadium in 1988, an event closely linked to the international anti-apartheid movement.
In response to his withdrawal, the Free State’s culture department said it regretted the decision and stressed that Macufe was intended to celebrate African unity.
Keïta’s withdrawal comes against the backdrop of worsening tensions over migration in South Africa, which has long attracted workers from across the continent.
More than 160,000 foreigners have left South Africa through repatriation programmes since May, according to an AFP tally. They include citizens of Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Ghana and Nigeria.
This week, 173 Tanzanian nationals also returned home from Durban, one of the centres of recent anti-migrant demonstrations.
Anti-migrant groups accuse undocumented foreigners of putting pressure on jobs and public services and contributing to crime.
However, South African authorities have maintained that immigration laws must be enforced through legal channels and have acted against people accused of vigilantism and violence.
Increasingly, the tensions are also spilling into Africa’s entertainment industry.
In July, a planned Lagos concert by Grammy-winning South African singer Tyla disappeared from her A*POP World Tour schedule after boycott calls from some Nigerians over reported xenophobic attacks against African migrants in South Africa.
Although Tyla and her management did not publicly confirm that the backlash caused the change, the episode showed how migration tensions were beginning to affect cross-border cultural exchanges.
Keïta’s decision now brings the issue into sharper focus from the opposite direction, with one of West Africa’s most prominent musicians refusing to perform in South Africa over the treatment of fellow Africans.
As a result, the controversy has added a cultural dimension to a migration crisis already affecting labour flows, diplomacy and relations between African countries.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed sadness over the death of Dotun Oladipo, former Political Editor of The Punch newspaper and Publisher of The Eagle Online, describing his passing as a painful loss to Nigeria’s media industry and the nation.
Tinubu’s message was contained in a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday.
Oladipo reportedly died on Tuesday, 25 August 2026, in Lagos at the age of 56.
The President acknowledged Oladipo’s contributions to journalism, particularly his years of dedicated service in political reporting and his commitment to providing Nigerians with credible information through traditional and digital media platforms.
He said Oladipo’s professional career reflected the important role journalists play in strengthening democracy by informing citizens, holding public officials accountable and providing platforms for robust public discourse.
Tinubu recalled Oladipo’s passion for journalism and his contributions to the growth of digital media through The Eagle Online, which he founded after his career at Punch Newspaper.
“Dotun Oladipo’s death at the age of 56 is a painful loss to the Nigerian media community and to our nation. He was a committed journalist who devoted significant years of his life to informing the public and contributing to the development of our democracy.
“His contributions to political journalism and the digital media space will not be forgotten. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues in the Guild of Online Corporate Publishers (GOCOP) and friends. I pray that Almighty God will grant him eternal rest and give his loved ones the strength to bear this irreparable loss,” President Tinubu noted.
The National President of the Remo Secondary School Old Students Association (RSSOSA), Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, has celebrated the National Vice President of the Association’s UK Branch, Mr. Damola Aiyeola, on the occasion of his 60th birthday, describing him as a God-fearing family man, committed leader and an exemplary Old Student whose years of service have continued to make a meaningful difference in the lives of students and the development of Remo Secondary School and beyond.
In a special birthday message marking the significant milestone, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking described Aiyeola’s 60 years as a life of purpose, faith, family, leadership and service, noting that his contributions to RSSOSA demonstrate a deep understanding of the responsibility that comes with belonging to an association of Old Students.
The RSSOSA National President praised Aiyeola’s leadership as the National Vice President of the Association’s UK Branch, noting that his contribution goes beyond occupying an executive position to actively using his platform to advance the welfare of students and contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of the alma mater.
Aare Adetola Emmanuelking particularly highlighted the various initiatives undertaken by the RSSOSA UK Branch under Aiyeola’s watch, describing them as tangible expressions of the responsibility that Old Students owe to the institution that shaped them.
Some of the notable interventions include the renovation of the UK-adopted classrooms at Remo Secondary School; the donation of learning materials to exceptional students across the Senior and Junior sections of the school; and the support and funding of holiday tutorials for SS3 students. The tutorial programme was further complemented by the donation of textbooks and sanitary pads to the students, addressing both their educational and personal welfare needs.
Commending these initiatives, the RSSOSA National President described Mr. Damola Aiyeola as a leader whose influence is evident in the positive impact being recorded by the UK Branch.
According to him, Aiyeola’s leadership reflects the importance of having people who understand that alumni leadership is ultimately about service, responsibility and giving back. He noted that the story of the RSSOSA UK Branch under Aiyeola’s watch is one of Old Students turning their affection for their alma mater into measurable interventions that improve the lives of present-day students.
As Mr. Damola Aiyeola marks his diamond jubilee, the RSSOSA National President prayed that God would continue to strengthen him, preserve his life and grant him the wisdom and grace required for greater responsibilities.
He prayed for divine health, protection, prosperity, renewed strength and continued fulfilment, asking God to bless and preserve his family and reward the celebrant for his commitment to service.
He further prayed that the years ahead would be even more fruitful and impactful, with greater opportunities to contribute to the advancement of RSSOSA, the UK Branch and Remo Secondary School.
