As Nightlife Doyen, Ken-Calebs Olumese Hits 80

FUNSHO AROGUNDADE

Ken-Calebs Olumese has become a man no one could ignore in the scheme of things. He is a rare icon, simply matchless in astuteness and humanity. Till today, most of those who matter in the larger society —especially in the showbiz world— still can’t ignore him; they all treat him with awe and respect.

The man fondly called The Guv’nor is deserving of the reverence. For almost 40 years, Olumese shaped and enriched Nigeria’s nightlife and entertainment industry via his Niteshift Coliseum brand.

Even if he wasn’t the pacesetter, Olumese brought something different to the nightlife ecosystem. He carved a niche and constantly reinvented it. Niteshift became unarguably Nigeria’s largest celebrity hangout for the real big boys and girls.

Of course, the gregarious gentleman from Ekpoma, Edo State had been a prolific nightlife denizen —even as a top corporate titan with a leading multinational pharmaceutical company— before turning his interest into a full time business.

As a place of work, Olumese’s Coliseum became like a second home to him where he felt comfortable. The nightlife magnate paid attention to every detail. His dressing was impeccable and drank choice Remy Martin. Olumese knew most of the club’s regular clientele personally, and took an interest in their personal lives. He was always very generous to his guests till he retired from running the club almost a decade ago after logging over three decades as a nightlife entrepreneur. Yet, this national icon’s influence remains undiminished.

Thus, when he hit the big 80 on Monday 27 May, the frenzy that characterized the social establishment top members’ jostling to celebrate the respected Guv’nor came as no surprise at all.

The day was marked with very little celebration. But turning 80 is a huge milestone for anyone. Olumese’s children and their dad’s friends and protégés know this and want to make sure they throw him a party no one will ever forget in a hurry.

A committee has already been put in place to organize a Super Grand House Reception in honour of the entertainment impresario on 27 July at a posh event venue in Lagos.

The committee is ready to spend good dough to make the celebration absolutely perfect and a very classy affair worthy of Olumese’ standard.