Otunba Dr Mike Adenuga: A Definition of Industrial Patriotism

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There are men that have remained strong in the path of history having impacted their nations through their industrial prowess. These kinds of people are produced in every generation. Early years of industrialization produced people like Andrew Carnegie and Henry Ford of the United States of America, James Watt and John Cockerill of Britain, Alfred Krupp of Germany and others. These people each contributed to their nation’s economic and technological advancement through innovation, industrial growth, and wealth creation. The central focus here is that, the activities of these men in their different sectors they operated in, shaped the sectors and the entire nation’s economic landscape to the point that they have become topical in the developmental history of the country

A prominent of such men in our generation is Otumba Dr Michael Adeniyi Adenuga Jr who in actual sense and meaning of the word has earned the status of TRUE PATRIOT. Just like the industrialists of the old generation, the impacts made by this business mogul in the Nigerian economic sphere so far, are so revolutionary in the various industries he has operated, that he has wholly or partly become central in the historical discuss of those industries. The thriving banking and finance, the oil and gas and the telecommunication industries in Nigeria achieved their current status through copious contribution from the investment of Dr Mike Adenuga.

John M Devine once said; “Patriotic talk is no proof of patriotism. Anyone can wave a flag. The real patriot lives his patriotism in everything he does.” Indeed, there are many Nigerians that speak patriotism, but finds it convenient to keep their money in foreign banks and invest their wealth in foreign countries. From Consolidated Oil Limited to Devcom Merchant Bank to Equitorial Trust Bank, to Conoil and to Globacom, Otumba Mike Adenuga has lived his patriotism; demonstrating his belief in the prosperity of the country called Nigeria. These investments have lifted the GDP of Nigeria, lifted and sustains the livelihood of millions of Nigerians and contributed to and pushing up the growth and development of skills and technology in Nigeria.

Born on 29th April, 1953, Otunba Dr Mike Adenuga will be 72 on 29^th April 2025. This son of Oloye Michael Agbola Adenuga and industrious Omoba Juliana Oyindamola Adenuga, has lived a purposeful life in these 72 years. A life worth studying, characterized by early determination and sustained fortitude to succeed as a business man. Story has it that in his early days in school, he lends money to his classmates and often casually said that he was not going to work for anybody, instead that he would employ his classmates to work for him. These statements have been interpreted as symbolic. They are actually, statements that expressed a solid determination and a clear focus on the future; the future that is today.

In pursuance of his dream, after his secondary school education, Otunba Dr Mike Adenuga studied Business administration from Northwestern Oklahoma State University and Pace University, New york. While his contemporaries stayed put abroad, patriotism led Adenuga to return to Nigeria to engage in business. Otunba Dr Mike Adenuga made his first million at age 26 in 1979 selling lace and distributing soft drinks. In 1984, he founded Consolidated Oil Limited and in 1990, he received a drilling licence. In 1991, Consolidated Oil Limited became the first indigenous oil company to strike oil in commercial quantity in the shallow waters of Southwestern Ondo State.

From this moment, Otunba Dr Mike Adenuga actualized his dream of providing employment for Nigerians. The establishment of Devcom Merchant Bank and Equitorial Trust Bank in 1990 expanded Adenuga’s employment creation and extended it to wealth creation for Nigerians.

The patriotic spirit of Otunba Dr Mike Adenuga became fully demonstrated in the wake of liberalization of the Telecommunication industry. At the time when uncertainty characterized the industry and dominated by foreign investors, Mike Adenuga became the only Nigerian investor to dare to challenge the foreign known names and continued to cause disruption in the industry. That call made on the Glo network on August 29, 2003 at 11.45am, and then, the announcement of per second billing that converted the industry from exploitational to beneficial, signified true patriotism.

Through employment, business deals, market creation and promos, Otunba Dr Mike Adenuga has impacted millions of Nigerians, businesses, communities and groups. Yet he is one Nigerian that has never been indicted regarding shady dealings with government and public funds. Even within the turmoil that have pervaded the Nigerian energy sector where notable figures have been fingered, there is no trace to where Otunba Dr Mike Adenuga has been listed among such character. THIS IS PATRIOTISM.

The bravery that Otunba Dr Mike Adenuga exhibits in the business world qualifies him for the nickname he bears: THE BULL.

Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, Companion Of The Star of Ghana, Commander of French Legion, Africa’s Pillar of Sports, Otunba Apesin” of Ijebu Land. Nigeria and Africa celebrates you.

Otumba Dr Michael Adeniyi Agbolade Ishola Adenuga Jr. CEM Television and Continental Economy Magazine wish you the best in your new age.