Mr

Weeks back, when then news filtered out that affable Lagos big boy, Otunba  Bola Oriyomi Adenuga, was 50. Many didn’t believe it because he does not look his age. The sociable fellow told MR about life at 50 and his simple but trendy lifestyle.

M ANY do not believe that you are fifty already. What is the secret behind your youthful looks?

To God be the glory, for He is the giver of everything. You also have to be careful in enjoying the perks that come with being successful, by doing things that are necessary. I don’t stress myself and I make sure that every morning I do 10-15 minutes workout around my estate. After that, I take my bath and rest for a while before going to my office. I also make sure that I eat light food before going to bed at night.

You are so popular on the social scene, what do you do for a living?

I’m into computers; I sell hardwares, I implement and integrate systems. I also write programme. That’s what I do. We have a wide array of clients.

You always step out real nice, what does style mean to you?

To me, style makes   you always look your best. I lived   abroad for a long time, I‘ve   moved with trend over the years. I know what to wear and how to combine it. Even if I’m 50, I don’t have to dress old in local attires everyday. I’m a very trendy person. I wear jeans when am supposed to and I put on suit when am supposed to.  I’m an African man; I also do a lot of our traditional dress too. Style is individual. I don’t compromise on it

So how can you describe your style?

My style is simple; I mean simplicity at its best.  I’m not flashy at all. But I’m trendy.

So what kind of wrist watches do you collect?

When collecting watches, aside the fashion part of it, the value is also important to me. I’m would not wear, a wristwatch which is not an asset, if I buy a wristwatch of eleven thousand pounds today, I expect it to become twenty thousand pound or more, in three or four years time. Even when I’ putting on a jean and tee shirt, my watch will always stand out. They are lifestyle materials that I can pass to my son, and will be of value for him. Amadeus Piquet,   Rolex, Ebel, are some of the valuable watches I own. Although most Nigerians don’t believe in it, I feel it’s better to get a quality thing rather than worthless ones. It’s my lifestyle, I don’t have to be extremely rich to own these things, remember it’s just one life, why don’t you live it to the fullest.

What about shoes?

I’m a label man, when it comes to shoes. I used to love Joan and David’s  shoes, but they are not more, but I still have quite few of them. Louis Vuitton, Bally, Gucci produced most of my shoes. I love contemporary shoes.

Since clothes is part of lifestyle, what kinds of clothes are you comfortable.

I go for clothes that fits, but my African attires come in   old school designs, it suites me more.

Who designs your natives?

His name is Mak and Rihanna in Lekki, new but extremely talented. you don’t have  to be there, once he has your measurement, be rest assured ,you are going to get  something very nice, he has inbuilt talent, he is very good.

What about shirts

Most of my shirts are Brioni shirt, before I used to love Hawes and Curtis. For tee shirts, I do hacket.

Do you wear suits?

Yea, I have a lot Giorgio Armani and Giorgio Brutini suits

You wear jeans a lot, what kinds of denim are you most found with?

I go for normal denim, the ones that fit, slim fit and boot cut. Pepe, Armani and True Religion are my labels for jeans

How do you like to smell?

I collect cologne a lot, Polo Green, Eccentric, and I Million too, is cool for me.

Do you have a favorite shopping spot?

I buy almost everywhere around the world, I have almost everything that I need, I just add to them whenever I travel. My favorite spots are Selfridges, Harrods, or Macy’s in Edgware, all in London.

Your preferred holiday spot

I love the United Kingdom; I relax when I’m there because that’s where my family resides.

Do you have a favorite food?

My favorite food is Semovita and Ewedu. I also enjoy taking pap in the morning

What about drink?

Remy Martin VSOP is my choice, but if I want to be on the champagne level, I do Clicquot or Rose Nectar champagne. I’m not a heavy drinker; I just enjoy drinking with my friends

Where do you like to hangout?

Often times, you can find me at Crescendo, GRA, Ikeja, or Wine Bar at Sheraton; they are nice places where you can chill, because I live at Ikeja. If I had to rock on the Island, I do Auto Lounge.

Why do musicians sing your praise so much?

(Laughs)Really, it’s not about money, it think it’s about my humility and friendliness, there is no other secret to it. Besides that, they just realized that I’ve been consistent on the social scene for over 25years and still representing. Yoruba people will say,’owo ti opo, ti ‘o tan.’ I’m really contented with what I have.

Now that you are 50, what are your future projections?

I thank God for the gift of life, because, whenever I reminisce, I just must be grateful. I have had a close encounter with death, that if not for Him, there will be no Bola Adenuga here again. It was a horrible incident of 1995, when I was attacked by armed robbers. They killed two of my brothers.  if I’m, I will  dedicate  my future to the less privileged. It will be an opportunity for me to share everything that God has given me with those who fate has not been kind to. That is the area the am looking at.

As a socialite, who have mingled with so many, who do you admire?

I have few friends, but I have very many acquaintances. Some who have inspired me so much include Dr Taiwo Afolabi, he is my friend and we are also from the same town.  Engr Osunde is another positive force in my life. their encouragement in  all endeavor has made success out of me and another of our friend Niyi  Ariyo.I  lived abroad for almost 24year,they are the ones that encouraged us to come  home and see what we can do. I thank God that I heeded to that advise, because it won’t be easy to start doing that at 50.

What is your growing up and background like?

I’m from a very humble background. Growing up was tough, but thank God for my  father,  Adeola Adenuga, and my mother Oluyemi Adenuga  of blessed  memories, they were disciplinarians..They made sure we all went to school. I’m the second out of 5. I went to Ijebu Mushin Primary School, Ebenezer School, in Ibadan. My secondary was Baptist Academy. I later went to the UK, to do A levels and Southbank University, UK, Where I did Computer.