As recession creeps on Nigeria, holding the country down in a vice grip, like a kite caught under the wheels of a waste truck, industries collapse and merchants wallow in excessive decay and ruin. But quintessential African billionaire, Dr. Mike Ishola Agbolade Adenuga, the champion, stays immune to the ravages of the declining economy. Dr. Adenuga is something of a visionary.

But at the core of his vision is a deep sense of scale; a profound passion for industry and respect for the universe, in their separate immensities. The Globacom boss and billionaire nurtures abiding love and respect for fellow humans, particularly those whose minds can somehow span the depth of his industry and citizenship of humanity.

The GCON and CSG, is extremely wealthy and he’s never in competition with anyone, at home and abroad. The illustrious son of Ijebu land in Ogun state, is quiet about his God-given wealth even as he touches so many lives in Nigeria nay Africa. Little wonder, he and others are still standing firm on the Forbes list of billionaires for 2017, released a few days ago. The rankings also show that Dangote and Adenuga remain richer than US President Donald Trump, who lost about $1 billion in the last year — three times less than what Dangote lost.

The billionaire oil tycoon and chairman of telecom giant, actually got richer in 2016 even as the country and his fellow billionaire magnates bend and break under the weight of the hard times. According to Forbes Magazine, Adenuga’s net worth increased $2.7 billion to $5.8 billion since December 31, 2015. Within the timeline, no other African billionaire added more than $1 billion to his or her net worth. Adenuga’s net worth however, increased since the beginning of 2016.

No doubt, everybody lives in awe of Mike Adenuga. Maybe it’s because of his brilliance and dazzling excellence. Perhaps it’s because he is about as smooth as a stucco bathtub and yet a giant of a man, given to a life of quiet dignity. Adenuga is the best thing going for corporate Nigeria – in the telecoms sector to be precise. Call him what you want, but recognize him for what he is: a futuristic magnate cum problem solver. And an effective one at that. He’s soft-spoken, but driven by a fierce determination to bring progress to his beloved Nigeria and the African continent. That is why Globacom leads the telecoms revolutionary drive.

By his unusual exploits, Adenuga has charted a radical path to one of the world’s largest and most influential business organisations: Globacom. His leadership is authentic, and his focus on equality is nothing short of revolutionary, a clarion call for the world of philanthropy and an inspiration to fellow billionaires working for a more just and loving world. Adenuga’s life is certainly fantastic—the stuff of fairy tales, magazine covers and excellent portraits. But it’s crucial to note that he made his own destiny. He effortlessly melds into the roles of a diligent worker and responsible family man. This is why his business thrives and his family blossoms with amazing speed, sophistication and simplicity.

THISDAY