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A PEEP INTO THE STRANGE WORLD OF BILLIONAIRE MIKE ADENUGA – Works at odd hours and alone, doesn’t pick his calls and letters, loves his women busty and fleshy and enjoys Chinese food and champagne…

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10 years ago

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Dr. Mike Adeniyi Ishola Adenuga, Jr., the Chairman of Globacom and Conoil, is not your regular billionaire. The man is simply in a world and class of his own – strange, unusual and eccentric. Sources who know him very well told us that he hates to play the second fiddle. “Adenuga loves to rule his world and dominate his environment…he also doesn’t like being taken unawares and enjoys being in charge totally”.
Dissecting him further, the sources said: “His appetite for work is out of this world and that is why at 1am, 2am, 3am, you can still find him in the office working; sometimes all alone. Most of his key staffers like Bode Opeseitan and co don’t have any closing time. The man can call them up at any time and summon them to the office. But he compensates them immeasurably for this. He knows all his key staffers by name. Not only that, no major staff can be employed in any of his companies without his input. He must see the person before the final decision can be taken.
“You may describe this as queer, but Adenuga doesn’t pick his calls. Even letters are not accepted in his office, no matter where they are coming from. All his calls must pass through someone before getting to him. You can’t just reach him on the phone directly. One of his oldest staffers, Nora, from Sierra Leone, usually serves as the link between him and whoever he wants to establish contact with or talk to. She’s the person that takes his calls most times. You equally don’t remind him of anything. He does his things at his own time”. Rarely seen in public, Adenuga, sometimes, doesn’t even attend his own events – no matter how important and who and who have been invited. “He hardly laughs outside, but in the midst of his friends, you will see him rolling in laughter. He has only a handful of friends – and in that category are Otunba Niyi Adewunmi, a long time pal whom he has made a Director in some of his companies; former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd); erstwhile Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; ex-Abia Governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu; one-time Minister of Police Affairs, General David Jemibewon (rtd) and Senator Tunde Ogbeha. He’s so, so close to Ogbeha, because I remember vividly that on Monday, October 22, 2000, he personally drove to the airport (here in Ikeja) to pick up Ogbeha. But you know he hadn’t become this big and popular then; but that is to tell you how close they are. And during any of his rare public appearances, the man won’t smile, won’t eat, won’t drink and will usually keep to himself, with his bodyguards keeping watch and ensuring that no intruder comes close. “However, any time he wants to enjoy himself, he goes for champagne and Chinese food. There’s this particular Chinese restaurant that he normally goes to in VI; not too far from his office”. A very, very intriguing character, we gathered that Adenuga, GCON, likes his women busty and fleshy. His second wife, Titi is a good example. His path and that of the 51-year-old mother of two (Shade and Adeniyi) crossed during her NYSC programme (after graduating from OAU, Ile-Ife) at Adenuga’s bank. This was years after his first marriage to Bolaji Marquis ended on an unpleasant note – after five children – Jide, Bella, Paddy, Oyin and another.
A native of Oru in Ogun State, the no-nonsense business mogul – born on April 29, 60 years ago, does not give up on things. As a matter of fact, he detests the words no, can’t, won’t and impossible. Remember how hard he fought to join the GSM business and all the millions he lost. None of his staff can also be poached unnecessarily – except those he’s not crazy about. And this explains why some of his key staffers usually go and come back. “You can go o, but anyday he remembers you, he will send for you and make you an offer that you can’t refuse”. Fondly called The Guru or Chairman by his disciples, Adenuga is very, very shy, which is unknown to many. It is also the reason he keeps more to himself. In love with agbada, Senegalese kaftans, buba and sokoto, short-sleeve safari suits and lately, smart casuals – with his trademark Yoruba fila – all his tops now carry his initials – MAJ. And on his table, in his office in VI, the full meaning – Mike Adenuga Jr. – is there for all to see. In love with hailing people, especially when happy, as awe ooo!, nearly everything inside his office is coated in gold, with his favourite animal and king of the jungle, a lion emblazoned on them. From the door to the letterhead and envelops, there’s no mistaking The Guru’s beautiful and spacious office. Business-like and serious-minded, there are telephones here and there and some comfortable seats for his guests. Kind hearted to a fault and unarguably one of the most generous souls that the Almighty God created, nobody encounters him without having his or her life radically transformed. “You don’t meet him one on one without a huge smile plastered on your face”. At variance with politics and laziness, the taciturn and evasive bulky billionaire is always changing his phone numbers. And except he gives you the number himself, calling him could spell doom in certain quarters. One of Africa’s richest men, the chairman of The Mike Adenuga Group indeed plays big in telecoms (Globacom), oil and gas (Conoil), real estate, banking and so on. Interestingly, he started out as a cabbie in the United States of America – which he later combined with exporting tomato puree and wine to Nigeria. Educated at North West University and Pace University, both in US, where he read Business Administration, his late mother, Mama Oyin Adenuga, a major distributor for Nigerian Bottling Company, Guinness and Nigerian Breweries had already indoctrinated him into the world of business, which he didn’t forget while outside our shores. Blessed with two brothers and two sisters, two of them, late Yetunde Adegbola, then Chairman of Equatorial Trust Bank and Demola, said to be a businessman, seem to be the closest to him. Hitherto residing in a marble cum mosaic house on Oko Awo, Victoria Island, Adenuga now has a better palace inside Banana Island, in Ikoyi, Lagos. Not given to flamboyance and any form of extravagance, there’s also The Gold Digger’s Place in Iyaganku GRA, Ibadan, where he still spends most weekends and other cute pads like the one in York Terrace, Regent Park and St. Johnswood, both in London. Driving himself more often than not, his favourite automobile may be his G-Wagon Benz which he is mostly seen in. And not forgetting his private jets, with which he could easily monitor his many businesses, keep very serious appointments and also savour the fruits of his labour. Alleged to be one of the largest owners of prime properties on Victoria Island, Adenuga who they say shouts on his staffers when upset is large; very large. Forbes Magazine, as a matter of fact, just rated him as Africa’s 2nd richest man and No. 325 in the world.

By: Azuh Arinze

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Rotary International District 9112 launches its coastal restoration initiative by planting 1,000 coconut trees in Lagos

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1 day ago

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July 26, 2024

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In a bid to promote its mission of improving the environment, Rotary international District 9112 on Sunday kicked off an environment-saving intervention tagged: Coastal Restoration Initiative at Westside Beach, Okun, Ajah, Lagos, where 1000 coconut trees were planted along the coastal shores of the Atlantic Ocean.

 

Speaking at the event, the Governor of Rotary International, District 9112 Rotarian Femi Adenekan said the “initiative is conceived to save the environment as well as reduce the adverse effect of the climate change.”

 

According to him; “the environment is one of the main focus areas of Rotary International. We need to consciously come to the realization that we need to save our environment. We need to save ourselves. So that in the future, those that will come after us will have life.”

“People assume that the world belongs to them. They have forgotten that they are just tenants on the surface of the earth. If you try to change nature, nature will react, which is the reason we are having a lot of environmental damage in the world. Some of wrong human activities, such as throwing plastics and other items into water or where it ought not to be is causing us environmental challenges. If we don’t take care of our environment, the environment will react and take us out of the surface of the earth,” He said.

 

 

The chairman of the District 9112 Tree Planting Committee, Rtn. Gboyega Bada recommended the adoption of an “Every Rotarian Plant a Tree Every Year” policy and also indicated plans for Rotary International District 9112 to propose a Private Bill to the Lagos State House of Assembly to enable all Lagos Residents plant a tree every year for the next five years to address the challenges of climate change.

 

Rtn Bada stated that the vision of Rotary District 9112 on Tree Planting is to achieve a safer and cleaner environment by planting 10,000 seedlings of Coconut, Mango, Breadfruit, Avocado and other ralated crops that have economic, health and environmental benefits.

 

The event was well attended by Stakeholders in the Private and Public Sectors. Pan African Towers Ltd, Tolaram Group, Azeez Amida Foundation, Telenoetica Ltd, amongst others were well represented. Past District Governor Tunji Funsho led other Rotary Leaders to give their support. The DG’s wife Rtn Tayo Adenekan, the District Governor elect Rtn Lanre Adedoyin, General Manager of Lagos State Coconut Development Authority, Dapo Olakulehim and Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency, Club Presidents and Rotarians from the 73 Clubs graced the occasion.

 

 

Also speaking at the event, one of the Guest Speakers, the world acclaimed horticulturist, Mr. Andrew Vale of Tolaram Group and The Lagos Free Zone, highlighted the importance of trees, saying; “planting trees improves air quality, reduces air pollution, and illnesses from air pollution. More so, plants produce oxygen and provide shelter, medicine, and many more.”

 

In his own special remarks, Chairman, LUFASI Park and DG Coconut Naija, Dr. Desmond Majekodunmi, said; “the basic fact about the environment is that whatever you sow, you shall reap. The environment will always treat you, the way you treat it.”

 

It is of note that the vision of District 9112 on tree planting for this year is to achieve a safer and cleaner environment through the planting of 10,000 seedlings of coconut, mango, breadfruit, avocado and other related crops that have economic, health and environmental benefits.

 

The event was witnessed and supported by main stakeholders in the industry, agencies and partners which included, Mr Dapo Olakulehin, General Manager, Lagos State Coconut Development Authority (LASCODA), Mr Andrew Vale of Tolaram Group, Channel Scott from Pan African Towers, Azeez Amida Foundation, Telenoetica, The Legend Lifeskills Foundation, Etam Avitat, Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) , presidents and members of various Rotary Clubs in District 9112 amongst others.

 

Rotary leaders who witnessed the event are PDG Tunji Funsho, PDG Kamoru Omotosho, PDG Omotunde Lawson amongst others.

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Ohanaeze President-General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Is Dead

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1 day ago

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July 25, 2024

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The President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu is dead.

 

The Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr Alex Ogbonnia confirmed the death to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Enugu.

 

“Today is a bad day for Ndigbo. It’s true! Ahaeji aga Mba is gone.

 

“Ohaneze is yet to issue an official statement on the demise of our President General, Chief Iwuanyanwu, but he is gone.

 

Aged 82, Iwuanyanwu was elected the President General of the apex Igbo cultural organisation on April 20, 2023 following the sudden death of his predecessor, Prof George Obiozor.

 

An unconfirmed report said that the octogenarian died in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja on Thursday, July 25.

 

NAN reports that Iwuanyanwu is the second President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to die in office after his predecessor, Prof. George Obiozor, who also died in office.

 

Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu is a prominent Nigerian businessman, politician, and philanthropist known for his significant contributions to various sectors, particularly in the Igbo community

and beyond. (NAN)

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How Top Immigration Officer, Akomolafe Gbenga Michael, Was Arrested, Arraigned For Alleged Drug Trafficking

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2 days ago

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July 25, 2024

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Few years after a top police officer, Abba Kyari, was arrested for alleged drug deals, another top uniform man, Akomolafe Gbenga Michael

has been arrested and charged for alleged drug trafficking.

 

Akomolafe, an Immigration officer serving at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Ikeja in Lagos was arraigned alongside three others before Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on a nine-count charge of alleged conspiracy, unlawful possession, import, and dealing in the prohibited substances.

 

He was specifically alleged to have been involved in trafficking eight kilograms of Methamphetamine and 7.60 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa, also known as marijuana.

 

Others arraigned on the alleged offences alongside the Immigration officer are; Babatunde Micheal Olufemi said to be a staff of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nwadozie Chris Amaechi, and Nwosu Chinedu Cyril.

 

The prosecutor, Abu Ibrahim, told the court that the four who belonged to a hard drug syndicate were arrested on May 21, 2024, while attempting to smuggle the prohibited substances out of the Murtala Muhammad International Airport Ikeja, Lagos.

 

Ibrahim also told the court that the four men conspired to commit the alleged crimes alongside the duo of Nwadozie Sunday and Echezona Nwosu, based in South Africa.

 

Specifically, the Immigration officer, Akomolafe was slammed with a six-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful import, unlawful possession, and trafficking in the banned substances while the trio of Olufemi said to be a staff of FAAN, Nwadozie, and Nwosu, was slammed with three counts of conspiracy and unlawful importation and possession of the banned drugs.

 

The prosecutor told the court that the alleged criminal act of the four men contravened sections 14 (b), 21 (2)(d), and 20 (1)(c) punishable under sections 11(b) and 20 (2)(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

 

However, while the other three members of the gang pleaded guilty to the charges, the Immigration officer denied the offences and pleaded not guilty to all the counts of the charge.

 

Based on the not-guilty plea of the Immigration officer, his lawyer, Benson Ndakara, pleaded with the court to admit him to bail in the most liberal terms.

 

In his ruling, Justice Osiagor admitted Akomolafe to bail in the sum of N10 million with one surety.

 

The judge also ordered that the surety must be a civil servant of an assistant director cadre in the employment of Lagos State or the Federal Government.

 

The trial was then adjourned to November 7, 2024. Based on their guilty plea, the court convicted and sentenced the trio of Babatunde Micheal Olufemi, Nwadozie Chris Amaechi, and Nwosu Chinedu Cyril, to four years on each count. The sentence is to run concurrently.

 

The three convicts were also given the option of paying a fine of N2 million each on each count.

 

In a related development, The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has suspended Akomolafe over his alleged involvement in multiple drug trafficking offences and his arraignment before a Federal High Court in Lagos.

 

A press statement on Wednesday by the spokesperson of NIS, Kenneth Udo, said the suspension was imposed on the erring officer as the Service awaited the judgement

of the court for further action..

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