By, PROFESSOR MIKE A. A. OZEKHOME, SAN, OFR.
INTRODUCTION:
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 BoysHighSchool, BeninCity,followed by
HusseyCollege, warri. He subsequently worked with the Federal
Ministry of Informationfrom where he was seconded to become the
Personal Assistant to the ExecutiveDirector 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, Financeand 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 long
held 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 sub
region, 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, non
institutional 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, Olumesedid 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 JerryJohnRawlingsofGhana),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.
The choice of the name of the club’s make-over (from Niteshift 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’ doesnot 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 all
embracing: 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 whomit 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 was
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 ocassions, 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.
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!