By PROFESSOR MIKE A. A. OZEKHOME, SAN, OFR, FCIARB, LL.M, PH.D, LL.D, D.LITT, D.SC, D.HL.

If there is one person who has defined avant-garde nightclubbing in Nigeria, it is the one and only Ken-Calebs Olumese, known to his legion of fans and admirers as ‘The Guv’nor’, Nigeria’s unofficial 38th Governor. Not of a State, no; nor of our apex bank, The CBN.

It is his own nom de guerre conferred on him by popular public acclamation and consensus, albeit informally. How did this come about? How did one man transcend the statutory (and indeed, constitutional) strictures to appropriate to himself so effortlessly what so many have deployed life and limb (not to mention financial fortunes) to acquire: the ‘right’ or – more correctly, privilege – of being addressed as a ‘Governor’ (even if, in his case, it is stylized as ‘Guv’nor’v)?
It is a long and interesting story, but the occasion of his eightieth birthday is as good an opportunity as any for a historical excursion, a trip down memory lane, into the remarkable life and times of Chief Olumese. Our celebrant made his earthly debut on the 27th day of May 1944.
From his relatively humble beginning (his father was a priest) in the sleepy town of Ekpoma, in Edo State, his initial inclination was to follow his father’s footsteps into priesthood. This was sequel to his education, first at Western Boys High School, Benin City, followed by Hussey College, warri.
He subsequently worked with the Federal Ministry of Information from where he was seconded to become the Personal Assistant to the Executive Director of FESTAC 77. Thereafter, he became a Medical Visitor with a Paris-based international pharmaceutical firm. He then transitioned, to becoming, first, a Medical Representative of the firm, then its Marketing Co-ordinator; then Manager, Finance and Administration, and finally, as an Executive Director.
Having reached the zenith of a reputable corporate organization (Roussel Nigeria), Mr. Guv’nor bowed out gracefully and left to pursue his longheld dreams and his desire for self-actualization: to establish his pet project – a nightclub and corporate events centre. This was what prompted him to launch the Niteshift Club at Opebi, Road, Lagos, in 1988.
The first of its kind then in Nigeria and the West African subregion, it boasted of all the facilities and ambience of similar leisure and recreation centres anywhere in the world. This was deliberate, as Chief Olumese set out to target the creme de la creme of the society – the best of the best and, he succeeded.
They came in droves, deserting older, more established nightclubs. The Coliseum (as it was later known) became the nightclub to beat. It set the bar and No. 34 Salvation Road, Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos – its address – became the entertainment capital of Nigeria, not just Lagos.
This remained so even after the country’s capital was moved to Abuja in 1991. It was not uncommon to find scores of businessmen (and women) and others trooping from Abuja on Fridays to spend their weekends in Lagos, just because a non-political, noninstitutional Chief Executive, our very own Guv’nor, had a “jam” or two (events or programmes) planned at the Club/Coliseum. So famous was he that he became synonymous with first-rate entertainment, event hosting and nightclubbing.
To be sure, Olumese did not invent night life or night clubbing in Lagos; but for over three decades, he reshaped it and accorded it its gravitas. His Coliseum outfit became the place to see and be seen. Presidents (including Jerry John Rawlings of Ghana), State Governors (real Governors!), Captains of Industry, name it: they all flocked to Niteshift and the Coliseum. Very few of them, however, knew the amount of industry, hard work, dedication, commitment, sacrifice and benevolence (of friends and well-wishers), which contributed to making the club the success it was. From an isolated, lonely, decrepit marshland, the Guv’nor spent a fortune (five times the cost of the land itself) sandfilling it alone.
This was followed by the colossal cost of erecting the physical structure and ancillary works which is the imposing edifice that we all recognize today. 3 The choice of the name of the club’s make-over (from Nightshift to the Coliseum) was deliberate: a brilliant stroke of marketing ingenuity of a genius as it echoed a cavernous structure in Ancient Rome.
Even though its Nigerian ‘replica’ does not match its famous namesake in size, it arguably rivals it in style, grandeur, panache and appointment. Standing on a mere six pillars (just like that of Rome), its uniqueness is allembracing: from the designation of its attendants (called ‘hosts’, not ‘waiters’ or ‘waitresses’), to its patrons (called ‘guests’); to disc jockeys (called ‘music presenters’); to its restrooms (called ‘vanities’); and finally, its door-keepers (normally called bouncers, but whom it calls ‘first men’).
Talking about appellations, Olumese’s moniker of ‘Guv’nor’ was also deliberate: it was, by his own admission, self-chosen, but with a spin, in terms of spelling, to distinguish it from the 36 State Governors in Nigeria and the CBN Governor. This is why he is the 38th Governor. Even though a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet, however, it would be a mistake to think Mr. Olumese’s outfit is all about form and not substance – because it is not.
There is far more to it than that, as it is more than the sum of its parts. This accounts for its longevity and durability over the years, when its rivals have since folded up and gone into extinction in a field that is notorious for its high mortality rate. So, how did Olumese sustain it, to become, effectively, the Mohican; the last man standing in elite entertainment exclusively targeting the discerning?
The answer must be in Olumese’s sheer organizational wizardry and acumen, which ensured that his club was scrupulously run in line with international best practices, as is obtained in the entertainment capitals of the world. These rules were religiously and uniformly applied to all: guests, staff and even himself – without discrimination. Mr. Olumese was very clear from day one about his target clientele. He set out to establish an outfit that was not an all-comer’s affair. No.
It was not for the hoi polloi – for every Tom, Dick and Harry. He was4 unapologetic about this: his focus was the Upper-Middle Class, the Upper Class and the Super Upper Class. This model was so successful that it was followed by other entertainment organizations (such as, Ovation Magazine). Finally, he shrewdly ensured that, apart from nightclubbing, other services were also offered by his organization.
These include hosting corporate meetings, conferences, seminars, exhibitions, fashion shows and even children’s parties. The last was particularly a master stroke as its strategy of ‘catch-them-young’ ensured that some of the children who attended those parties, grew up to join the club, and they – in turn – brought their own children to such parties thereby securing a potentially endless generation stream of loyal customers.
Such satisfied customers are legion, with some bearing customized identifiers called ‘Glamour Cards’ which were upgradeable to Gold Status. Such is the class and panache which Mr. Olumese has come to symbolize and for which he is justly recognized. This came, recently, this year, in the form of a well deserved Lifetime Achievement Award conferred on him by organizers of the Silverbird Man of the Year Awards, belying the saying that a prophet has no honour in his homeland (Mark 6:4). This is one prophet honoured in his home.
That singular event was a richly deserved reversal of roles of sorts, as it was usually Mr. Olumese who habitually celebrated others at his Club’s “Grand House Reception”. On those occasions, he hosted special guests (successful Nigerians, such as captains of industry, opinion leaders, entertainers and sportsmen and women). While those receptions were, strictly speaking, not award ceremonies, they however afforded the guests and his club’s patrons unique opportunities to mix and fraternize which (for many of the former) were opportunities of a lifetime.
Such guests were as illustrious as they came, including the likes of Senate Presidents, Ministers, State Governors and even former Ghanaian Leader Ft. Lt. (later President) Jerry Rawlings.
A special guest was normally put on the hot seat with Rueben Abati and Taiwo Obileye grilling them. A case of intellectual fisticuffs amidst wining and dining. I was one of such guests; praise God. 5 Chief Olumese’s success is all the more remarkable because he did not acquire any special proficiency prior to plunging into nightclubbing. He simply learnt on the job and his spartan self-discipline, work ethic and natural inborn flair seem to have done the trick.
That’s what made his club tick. But no good thing lasts forever. In his case, Mother Nature (in the form of age) has taken its toll – which is what we are presently celebrating: all of four scores! Wow! Incredible, because the Guv’nor is still as sprightly as a spring chicken. He does not use prescription glasses, nor a walking stick; not even a cane. He possesses elephant memory which is razor-sharp; and so are his wits.
The vagaries of time have however forced him to cede the running of his beloved club to another, equally capable outfit, in order to ensure the confirmation of his legacy. It was, however, merely, leased out, not sold as was popularly rumored, ensuring that his legacy outlives him for generations unborn. As the one and only 38th Guv’nor in Nigeria who was neither elected nor appointed by the people, Mr. Olumese has carved a niche which remains peculiarly his own with his own people. There is no other like him in the entertainment world.
He is nullus secondus. In the twilight of his earthly sojourn, here is wishing this unusual man of grace, style, effervescence, class and panache, God’s grace and even more blessings. You are a rare gem, sir. They do not make them like you anymore. We can confidently say that you came, saw and conquered (vini vidi vici) the terrain of nightclubbing and entertainment. You bestrode that field like a colossus and, indeed a titan. You are one of a kind. Congratulations and many happy returns. Nigerians are proud of you

The senate on wednesday in one voice urged the Federal Government to Immortalise the late Minister of Science, Technology and Innovations, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu
The resolution came after a motion of urgent national importance, moved during plenary by Senator Anthony Ani, who is representing Ebonyi North in the red chamber.
Onu died on the 11th of April, 2024, at an Abuja hospital, after a brief illness
Ani told his colleagues that the late Onu was born on 1st December, 1951, and was elected the first Executive Governor of old Abia State (now Abia and part of Ebonyi States).
According to him, the late politician was a symbol of excellence and an academic icon in Nigeria having obtaining First Class Honours degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Lagos, and Ph.D in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, USA.
Continuing, he said the late Onu was the pioneer Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering, and a pioneer staff of the Faculty of Engineering, University of Portharcourt, Nigeria.
The late former governor of Abia State, according to Ani, was the first Chairman of the Conference of elected Governors in Nigeria (now Governors’ Forum).
“The late Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu was the first Presidential flag bearer of the All People’s Party (APP) in the 1999 Presidential election in Nigeria.
“The late Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu was the National Chairman of the All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP), at the time the party was merged with other political parties to form the current ruling party in Nigeria, the All Progressives Congress (APC).”
The Senate observed a minute silence in honour Onu, urged the Federal Government to Immortalise him and constituted a committre to commiserate with his family and people of Ebonyi State.
Speaking on the motion, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, described Onu as a consummate politician and a detribilise Nigerian.
He said, “If not for Ogbonaya Onu there would have been no APC today, the simplicity of Ogbonaya Onu, his humble disposition appeals to your conscience and he released the CPC for the merger to tale place what we have today the All Progressives Congress.
“I also had a personal interaction with Ogbonaya Onu when I was a Minister in the last administration and he was the Minister of Science and Technology.
“He was very innovative, he was very simple, always smiling, a man who in his lifetime had any enemy. He was friendly to all and always ready to concede and sacrifice for the good of the nation.”
In his contribution, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin, described Onu as a man of honour and integrity.
Barau said, “He was a governor and later after passing through various offices, became the chairman of a very big opposition party. Yet, he was very humble.
“I interacted with him when he was the national chairman of ANPP, the party I belonged to then, and you could see a democrat. He made sure that there was internal democracy in the ANPP.
“When the process of the formation of the APC commenced, he keyed into the project. He was one of those chairmen that willingly let their parties dissolved to form the APC at that time, because he was the last chairman of the ANPP.
“He lived a life of service to our nation. He was an epitome of humility, an epitome of credibility and an epitome of integrity.
“At this juncture, I will pray and extend my condolences to his immediate family, to the people of Ebonyi State, to the APC family and the entire nation.”

***Tasks govt on Omala LG killings

Associates, friends and family have showered glowing tributes on the late former Minister of state for Health and President of the Nigeria Institutes of Architects, Chief Arc. Gabriel Yakubu Aduku who died recently in Atlanta.

The tributes poured in during the Igala USA Memorial Service of songs and US community farewell held in Atlanta USA on Saturday April 6th. 

A statement signed and issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Igala Association, USA, Dr. Raphael Agbali described Chief Aduku’s lifetime of devotion to faith, humanity, and quality through many accomplishments over his 80 years earthly sojourn as worthwhile 

The statement indicated that the gathering of professionals, leaders, and associates from all over the US, took to the podium to eulogise the late icon on his legacy of service to the nation, profession and the Igala kingdom.

Dr. Agbali quoted the officiating minister Pastor Dr. Johnson Adefila to have described the late Statesman as demonstrating heavenly virtues that would inspire generations to come. 
President of the Igala Association USA, Ms. Teresa Edoja paid tributes to Chief Aduku as the great unifier and builder, whose signature advice was always “Build! Do not destroy”. 

Also, President of Igala in the United Kingdom, Rowland Ataguba in a virtual tribute, said Chief Aduku’s great strides will be sustained though the great patron of equity, whose remains arrive in Nigeria for internment on April 20, will be missed. 
The Association also used the occasion to decry the recent killings of scores of Nigerian citizens of Igala descent in Agojeju Odo in Omala local government of Kogi State by suspected herdsmen

The statement called on the federal government to bring swift justice against the perpetrators and their sponsors, secure lives and properties and immediately remove the menacing terrorists from the Bagana Abejukolo area of Igala kingdom. 

The statement indicated that it is ironic that the attacks were the forms of injustice Chief Aduku strove to prevent through his public service.

The association pledged to continue working for justice and peaceful co existence, as preached by the departed statesman, using her global reach to expose trouble spots and those who enable terror.