By Akeem Lasisi
The Alliance Francaise, Lagos, again fulfilled one of its strategic agendas last Saturday. It hosted the launch of a new novel by award-winning writer, Ndidi Chiazor-Enenmor. Like the book titled See Morocco, See Spain, the programme that attracted people from different sectors unfolded excitingly.
Yet beyond literary promotion, the launch was significant in other respects. Firstly, it held some three days to the 72nd birthday of business giant, Dr Mike Adenuga, who built the brand new classical Lagos centre of the French Cultural Centre (Alliance Francaise), otherwise called the Mike Adenuga Centre. As of the Saturday April 26, echoes of the great strides of the Chairman of Globacom Limited, famed for revolutionising the Nigerian telecoms market with per second billing system, had rented different media and other arenas. The book launch at the Mike Adenuga Centre was also, therefore, like a timely tribute to the great entrepreneur nicknamed ‘The Guru’.
Very important is also the question of the immediate venue of the launch: the Alliance Francaise’s Library which houses many books and offers some other services to the public. It echoes the philanthropic disposition of the Glo magnate. For many of the guests, the event indeed provided an opportunity to discover such available at the iconic space. Interestingly, the Alliance Francaise Librarian, Odufa Onaulogho, was on ground to coordinate and shed light on its offerings. The account she gave made many salivate, especially those who know how expensive it is to rent a hall at such an elite monument.
Besides, the guests toured the library to discover some of the publications available. Generally, the Alliance Française of Lagos has been hosting major events and festivals (dance, cinema, photography like LagosPhoto, literature, music, theatre etc.) since its opening in 2019.
It is also involved in the training of Nigerians, especially Lagosians, on the French Language while it also hosts cultural events. It moved from Yaba back to Ikoyi in 2019, thanks to the exceptional support of Adenuga, who decided to build the brand new cultural and linguistic centre.
The French President Emmanuel Macron inaugurated the first part of the project during his visit in Lagos in July 2018 while the centre was fully opened in May 2019.
Its management recalls: “The project, drawn by Baron Architecture, was followed by the sponsor’s daughter herself, Bella Disu, and the director of Alliance Française de Lagos, Charles Courdent. It is considered as an architectural masterpiece, one of the nicest buildings in Lagos, and an exceptional cultural Centre, including an auditorium, library, art gallery, outdoor amphitheatre etc. The franchise Eric Kayser, French restaurant and bakery, can also be found in the Mike Adenuga Centre.”
On the library’s services, the centre notes that novels, children literature, documentaries and magazines are available to check-out or to read on-site.
“We also do an online book review once in two weeks. Once registered, you can check-out two books for the duration of three weeks,” it notes, adding that it welcomes proposals for those who want to hold an activity in the library space or organise workshops for kids or adults. It also entertains such for slam, poetry, literature and digital workshops as well as coding.
“As a student/member of our library, you have free access to Culturethèque, the online library of the French Institute where you will discover over 400 magazines, 1,000 books, 200 comics, 300 videos and 370 learning materials. 24/7 access from your personal computer, tablet, or smartphone at the comfort of your home,” the centre adds.
Incidentally, Adenuga’s true life story harbours a lesson for the characters in ‘See Morocco, See Spain’, as well as for its would-be readers. In the novel, Chiazor- Enenmor tells the story of some youths who desperately travelled the dangerous route to Europe. The impression they have is that once they land in Morocco, they are already in Spain. They not only mostly get their dreams and ambitions wrong, they also ignorantly plunge into danger, making regret and destruction their end in many cases.
But like some of his contemporaries, Adenuga once lived in the US as a youth, when he went in pursuit of education.
While his academic journey began at Ibadan Grammar School, he earned his higher school certificate from Comprehensive High School Aiyetoro. The business tycoon, who would later triumph in banking, telecoms, oil industry, aviation real estate and construction, attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University in the United States, earning a degree in Business Administration, and pursued an MBA at Pace University in New York. Interestingly, he worked as a taxi driver to fund his university education abroad.
But apart from achieving sound education, he never failed to return to Nigeria to fulfil his entrepreneurial destiny and became so blessed that he became a blessing to humanity. When the japa phenomenon is thus being analysed, there may be the need to study how he and other successful people who once sojourned abroad handled their odysseys.
While saluting Adenuga on the occasion of his 72nd birthday on Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu highlighted the phenomenal impacts he has made. According to the President, his life, from humble beginnings, is a testament to the power of vision and the outcome of resilience.
The President noted: “His humility and diligence have enabled him to succeed in banking, telecommunications, oil, and gas. The man Nigerians affectionately call ‘The Guru’ has, through determination and hard work, built businesses that have created thousands of jobs for our people.
“Nigerians will always appreciate Globacom’s ingenuity in disrupting the billing template in the telecommunications sector. By pioneering per-second billing, Glo expanded telephony and digital access to millions of Nigerians. In addition, Conoil has proven that an indigenous firm can compete with international oil companies, fostering energy independence and security for our country.
“sBeyond his business achievements, Dr. Adenuga’s philanthropy, through the Mike Adenuga Foundation, has touched many lives—supporting tertiary education, healthcare, and cultural advancement across our nation. Dr. Adenuga, Nigeria is grateful for your immense contributions to our country’s progress and prosperity.”
