If there was ever a reference to achieve the goals she pictured, we suggest she mirrors the life of the former Minister of Health and Social Services, and current Chairman of the MTN Foundation, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi.

Apart from his forthcoming 80th birthday, here are five things you should know about him. We cannot promise that your jaw will not drop after reading this;

A man with many hats

If you knew Prince Adelusi- Adeluyi, you would know you could never miss him wearing his “adire” cap. Even in reality, he wears many hats and leaves us wondering - ‘God when?’ Asides being a former Minister of Health who sits on the board of the MTN Foundation as Chairman, he is also a graduate of the University of Ife where he studied pharmacy. Five years after graduation, he founded Juli Plc (formerly Juli Pharmacy Ltd) at age 28. Still driven by the thirst for knowledge, he attended the Nigerian Law School where he emerged as the best graduating student. 

Today, he is a distinguished advocate, renowned public speaker and solicitor, an accomplished pharmacist who also serves as Chairman of Juli Plc. To cap it all, the name Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi is constantly associated with the word - integrity. This is something to model your life after. At least, we would.

An Astute Leader

For nearly five decades, Prince Adelusi-Adeluyi has consistently worn the insignia of leadership and has become a role model and exemplary professional with a record of accomplishments, self-determination and integrity. Let’s go back to the beginning. As a student, he served as Vice-President for International Affairs of the National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS) in 1964. He was also elected by student organizations worldwide to serve as the Secretary-General of the world student body, the International Students Conference (ISC) headquartered in Leiden, Holland.

He once led a 17-nation delegation to the war front during the Nigerian Civil War, for advocacy and peaceful resolution. 

Impact Investor

This man has bragging rights, if you paid attention to the previous things, then there is no need to go further. However, despite these, Prince Adelusi-Adeluyi does not utilize his bragging rights at all. It only takes a minute of knowing him for one to realise that his humility is impeccable, and his philanthropic works are immeasurable.

Adding a feather to his cap would be his large investments in the education, health and economic empowerment of disadvantaged persons and communities both in his personal capacity and as the Chairman of MTN Foundation. He lives a life of service to humanity.

 A man of empathy

In studying his footprints, we have concluded that Prince Adelusi-Adeluyi is a man of empathy. He definitely understands the feelings of the underprivileged and the need to proffer effective solutions to make their lives better. From years of offering pro bono legal aid to prisoners to donations made to correctional facilities and orphanages in his capacity as the MTN Foundation Chairman. He continues to show the reasons everyone deserves to live happily.

Juli Plc

Judging by the name of his pharmaceutical company, we can tell that there is more to Prince Adelusi-Adeluyi. He values love, loyalty and strong family ties, he may also be a romantic. What else will you call a man who has been married to one woman for over 50 years? 

Will you call it a coincidence that his company, the first indigenously promoted company to be quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, is named after his wife - Mrs. Juliana Adelusi-Adeluyi? Well, I think it’s romantic! There are many more heartwarming stories about this renowned gentleman that will keep you on your toes. If your dreams look like any of his achievements then this is a case study worth emulating.

One last thing: did you know that Prince Adelusi-Adeluyi is also fondly referred to as ‘Uncle Juli’ because he and his entire family has ‘Juli’ in their names? Well, now you know!

This is a featured post.