28th April, 2013
Monday is the 60th birthday of Nigeria’s business mogul and chairman of Globacom, Mike Adenuga.
On the eve, of the celebration, messages extolling his contributions to the growth of Nigeria have been pouring forth, with President Goodluck Jonathan leading the cheer-leaders.
In a congratulatory message issued on Sunday in Abuja by Dr Reuben Abati, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Jonathan described Otunba Adenuga as an embodiment of the ideals of “diligence, commitment, unmediated patriotism and selfless service.’’
“Come Monday, April 29, 2013, you shall be celebrating 60 years of a remarkable life filled with monumental achievements in high entrepreneurship, philanthropy and dedicated service to God and country.
“On behalf of the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I join your family, friends, protégés and well-wishers in thanking God for your exemplary life. It is my prayer that almighty God continues to bless you with robust health and enduring happiness,’’ the President wrote.
Former Lagos state governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has also described the Globacom Chairman as a man of exceptional performance and business ability.
According to Tinubu, the likes of Adenuga are rare not just in Nigeria but in Africa and the world over.
“His business exploits, acumen and strategic investments in the world of telcoms, oil and gas and philanthropy, stand him out among the crowd as an exceptionally talented individual”, Tinubu said.
In a press statement released in Lagos on Sunday, Tinubu said Adenuga was still ‘Glo-ing’ at 60 as he continues to make good for himself and for his country.
“Adenuga has not only helped to deepen the telecoms sector in our country, he also continues to add value to the lives of millions of Nigerians. Despite our all too glaring challenges, he has continued to empower millions of our compatriots and place Nigeria on the global telecom map”.
Tinubu said, with more patriotic Nigerians like Adenuga, who are selfless and consummate about empowering others, Nigeria will be an advanced and better society. He prayed that Almighty God grant him more years of health, wealth and wisdom. “May God continuously grant you good health; and may you continue on that path of excellent businesses orientation and bold innovations that have marked you out”.
Adenuga was recently conferred with Nigeria’s second highest National Honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, GCON.
He is Nigeria’s second richest man, according to Forbes, with net worth of over $4.7 billion. His business interests apart from telecom, also include oil and gas and banking.
He was born in Ibadan on 29 April 1953 and had his university education in the US.
Adenuga returned to Nigeria to make big money, building his fortune, first of oil in banking and oil and later telecom. His Globacom, is Nigeria’s second largest mobile phone network and has rolled out in several West African countries.
His Conoil Producing is one of Nigeria’s largest independent exploration companies, with a production capacity of 100,000 barrels of oil per day.