In the midst of December 2023, the streets of Banana Island, housing some of Nigeria’s most distinguished and affluent individuals, experienced a sudden transformation. This exclusive neighborhood is notably home to the generous and esteemed figure, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr, GCON, CSG, CdrLH, affectionately known as “The Bull” in reference to the charging bull insignia of his organization.
The entire area got lit up with vibrant energy, signaling the presence of prosperity and influence that resonates in this community. Dr. Adenuga’s residence, home to a man often considered the epitome of generosity, stands out as a prominent symbol amid the opulence of Banana Island.
The dazzling galaxy of lights adorning the streets of Banana Island, which was made possible by Dr. Adenuga’s love for spreading joy, reflects the festive season. And the upscale enclave on the island, often referred to as the most expensive real estate in Africa, thus became a marvelous sight to behold.
The dazzlement is so great that visitors might easily mistake the scene for a drive down Ocean Boulevard in Palm Beach, Florida, United States of America, USA. This famous street is home to Mar-A-Lago, the renowned resort and residence of former US President, Donald Trump Jr. The transformation of Banana Island into a radiant spectacle during the holidays is truly captivating.
In reality, the typically tranquil estate, adorned with grand homes nestled behind expansive foliage and carefully manicured bushes, underwent a remarkable festive season lighting transformation. It became aglow with dazzling lights to the extent that it could easily be confused with the iconic Times Square in New York.
Times Square, renowned as one of the world’s busiest pedestrian areas, serves as the focal point of the Broadway Theater District and stands as a major hub in the global entertainment industry, brightly illuminated by digital displays.
Similarly, those acquainted with Dundas Square in Toronto, Canada might easily mistake the stunning transformation of Banana Island in Ikoyi, Lagos for the end-of-year festivities. It now exudes a glamour reminiscent of the prominent landmark in Toronto, known as one of the city’s premier tourist attractions, akin to those found in Times Square, New York, USA.
All these remarkable changes occurred because Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr, the unassuming Chairman of GLO, Nigeria’s premier telecommunications service provider, decided to celebrate the end-of-year season with aplomb.
It may be recalled that he is the one who revolutionized the GSM billing system in Nigeria, transitioning it from per-minute billing, which was previously imposed on Nigerian consumers by pioneer mobile telephone service providers like Airtel and MTN, to a more consumer-friendly per-second billing.
So, it is not surprising that Dr. Adenuga Jnr made the decision to enhance the atmosphere in Banana Island, infusing it with a festive spirit to elevate the sense of conviviality typically associated with Christmas and year-end celebrations.
Close observers of the phenomenal Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr. are well aware of his ability to transform temporary setbacks into opportunities. One notable instance was when he successfully converted adversity into success by securing the license for his telecommunications company, GLO, as Nigeria’s national carrier.
Initially facing challenges and setbacks in obtaining a GSM license due to technical and possibly political reasons, Dr. Adenuga Jnr turned the situation around. Despite being a late entrant into the Nigerian market, GLO, his telecoms network, eventually triumphed. This occurred after competitors like MTN and Airtel had already launched their services ahead of GLO.
Dr. Adenuga Jnr has made a significant impact not only in the telecoms sector through his GLO network, which offers GSM services and submarine cables to other operators but also in the banking and oil/gas industries. This is evident through his substantial stake in Firstbank of Nigeria, one of the nation’s leading banks and his ownership of ConOil.
Conoil holds the distinction of being the first indigenous exploration company to be licensed and the first to strike oil in the shallow waters of Ondo State. Additionally, Dr. Adenuga’s influence extends to a nationwide network of petrol retail stations.
In the waning days of 2023, Dr. Adenuga Jnr, once again, showcased his ingenuity in the telecom industry with a remarkable move that left his competitors astonished with their mouths agape, and arms akimbo.
As widely recognized, the Executive Offices of the telecommunications, oil/gas, and banking tycoon, which is appropriately named “The Bellissima On The Waterfront”, is located on Banana Island.
This expansive real estate encompasses an entire cul-de-sac, equivalent to approximately two dozen plots of land, making it spacious enough to accommodate an entire village.
Those acquainted with Bellissima At The Waterfront are aware that, in addition to the Executive Office and residences, it boasts a state-of-the-art auditorium for entertainment, along with a chapel and a small mosque.
Owing to the vastness of the estate, movement around it from point A to B is by golf course-like carts. And that reminds me of Mar-a-Lago Resort in Palm Beach Florida, USA where similar carts are used to facilitate mobility. I can recall that the one time that l attempted to move around Mar-a-Lago without the cart, l got lost and had to return to point zero from where l was allocated a cart to convey me to my destination within the complex.
Now, somehow, at some point, Airtel’s advertising billboards began appearing on lampposts along the roads of Banana Island estate, a move seemingly prompted by a desire to compete.
Challenged to assert its presence and maintain a competitive edge, GLO took a bold step by embellishing Second Avenue, a prominent thoroughfare leading into the exclusively residential area of the estate. GLO achieved this by installing digital lights adorned with the GLO brand, transforming the avenue into a sparkling spectacle reminiscent of Seoul, Hong Kong, which holds the distinction of pioneering the reputation of the world’s no.1 city of neon lights.
The exclusion of residents from First and Second Avenues from the benefit of the festive lights quickly sparked discontent, leading residents to express their displeasure at being left out of the exciting transformation brought about by GLO’s illumination of the exclusive estate for the festivities.
Demonstrating its commitment as a responsible corporate entity, as it proudly declares itself to be, GLO stepped up to the challenge. The company transformed the estate into a dazzling display of flashing lights, much to the delight and satisfaction of approximately 2,000 residents from various parts of the world, given that the estate serves as a haven for expatriates.
Incidentally, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of MTN, Mr. Karl Toriola, who is a distinguished gentleman and a seasoned professional in the telecommunications industry and similarly, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, who serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Airtel, also reside in Banana Island.
Even the relatively recent entrant into the Nigerian GSM telecommunications market, 9Mobile (formerly known as Etisalat), has its head office located in Banana Island.
So, it is easy to see why Banana Island, an exclusive enclave for the wealthy, got turned into a battleground for GSM service providers vying for dominance as 2023 drew to a close.
Apparently, the Chairman of Globacoms, who has, over the years, developed a fondness for nature, had acquired and distributed exotic ostrich birds that roam freely in the estate, These magnificent creatures captivate onlookers with their stunning display of elegant feathers as they strut around, showcasing their glory to impress admirers.
Certainly, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr is not only remarkable for the one reason for his stunning accomplishments in the business world. His generosity also sets him apart, depicting him as a man with a heart of gold. This quality bestows upon him the distinction of being rightfully labelled as a phenomenal human being.
What truly makes him extraordinary is his deep affection for the masses and the remarkable way in which he generously extends his support to the less privileged, his employees, friends, and society at large.
One need not linger on Dr. Adenuga’s renowned philanthropic deeds towards sportsmen/women, sports administrators and performing artists, including musicians and comedians. Some of these renowned individuals, who have faced misfortune in their respective life journeys, have always found support from Dr. Adenuga Jnr, just as many of them have also become brand ambassadors for his diverse products and services. Additional ways of benefiting from him are that they also frequently appear in media and entertainment shows sponsored by him.
To bring the curtain down on the eventful year of 2023, on December 21st, the affable billionaire gathered his family, including children, grandchildren, and close family and business associates, for a festive celebration in the banquet hall at Bellissima At The Waterfront.
The venue was adorned with extravagant decorations reminiscent of the dazzling displays seen at high-energy concerts held in Times Square, New York, or Dundas Square in Toronto, as earlier stated.
As a seasoned participant in the various gatherings hosted by Dr. Adenuga Jnr at his residence (which can be likened to Donald Trump’s Mar-A-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, USA), I found myself, once more, in attendance. I was there to relish the opportunity of celebrating the conclusion of 2023 and eagerly anticipating the arrival of 2024 in a peaceful and joyous manner as l attended welcome reception parties for the Prime Minister of France, HE Emmanuel Macron, highly esteemed Ambassadors of top countries on assignment to or departing Nigeria for new postings, or special birthday parties for special friends amongst other high octane events.
After enjoying performances from distinguished musical artists like Flavor, Wande Cole, and various DJs and orchestras playing classic tunes by legendary artists such as Bobby Benson, Victor Uwaifo, Cardinal Jim Rex Lawson, and others, all accompanied by lavish meals fit only for the royalty, the phenomenal Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr concluded the year 2023 in spectacular fashion.
Of course, the end-of-year party happened only after new milestones had already been set for 2024.
Happy New Year to all.
By Magnus Oyibe
Magnus Onyibe, an entrepreneur, public policy analyst, author, democracy advocate, development strategist, alumnus of Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, Massachusetts, USA and a former commissioner in Delta State government, sent this piece from Lagos, Nigeria.*
