When former United States President, Abraham Lincoln said that “Real honours are not given to those fond of receiving from society, but are reserved for those who gave their all to the people,” he may have had the nightlife icon, Ken Calebs-Olumese in mind.
Recently, the organisers of the prestigious Silverbird Man of the Year Awards decorated the Guvnor of the Niteshift Coliseum with the distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award.
At the exclusive event held at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos, Calebs-Olumese was honoured for his exceptional achievements, contributions and leadership in shaping the entertainment landscape in Nigeria and Africa. It was a big night for the more relaxed dandy old man who was obviously overwhelmed by the prestigious honour bestowed on him by the Ben Murray Bruce-led Silverbird Group.
Olumese has logged in almost 40 years as a super nightlife entrepreneur. Indeed, the Edo State-born magnate helped to transform the Nigerian entertainment industry through his landmark showbiz endeavours and programs, supporting talents, businesses and economies.
Even as a retired nightlife mogul, he enjoys going to nightclubs. Though it was his place of work, it became a second home.
Olumese doesn’t suffer fools gladly. Seeing people happy and having a good time made him happy. An extrovert, he is a fair but firm man who introduced strictness in his business, meticulous about the kind of personality he allows into his club.
Calebs-Olumese’s Coliseum became a fabled success in an era of big, brassy nightclubs. The club was a favourite of classy folks, top businessmen, corporate titans, top professionals and tourists. He had a reputation for breathing life into already faltering nightlife in the country by adding lush decorations and handpicked and carefully blended shows.
Calebs-Olumese — who will be 80 on May 27 this year — made his dreams come true, and the Nigerian people over the decades benefited from it. Hence the Lifetime Achievement Award was well deserved.
