Mike Adenuga: The Generous Billionaire Who “Detests” Thank You Is 71 Today

It was Chief Dele Momodu, the widely travelled and widely connected publisher of Ovation International magazine who decorated him with perhaps the most fitting sobriquet ever: “Spirit of Africa.” Initially, I didn’t quite get how he arrived at that until during one of our impromptu but usually memorable sessions at his penthouse in Ikoyi, Lagos when our discussion veered into that.

Dr. Michael Adeniyi Ishola Agbolade Adenuga, Jr is indeed a living spirit. You don’t see him, but if you are fortunate or privileged to have a taste of his breeze, you can never, never forget him. In fact, his act of kindness usually leaves beneficiaries dazed and smiling till ‘Thy kingdom come.’

Arguably Africa’s richest man, the chairman of all chairmen and the genius from whose fecund imagination emerged Conoil, Glo and so on delights in wiping away tears. And one remarkable example will suffice – until 21 years ago when he changed the telecom game by obliging Nigerians the per second billing, and which has seen most Nigerians now GLOing with pride, his predecessors in the business had said it wasn’t possible.

‘The billionaire I haven’t met and yet know so much about’, like I described him in a piece I did last year when he clocked 70, has also made many other things possible – but I will save that for some other time.

All I want to do today is wish Baba Bella, Baba Paddy, Baba Oyin, Baba Eniola, Baba Abimbola and so on a happy 71st birthday. I also pray the Lord continues to imbue him with good health, long life, more joy and happiness.

Keep GLOing, Sir and happy birthday once again!

– Azuh Arinze is the publisher/editor-in-chief of YES INTERNATIONAL! Magazine and author of bestsellers like The CEO’s Bible 1 & 2, Success Is Not Served A La Carte, A Taste Of Success, etc