Belinda Ajoke Olubunmi is an exceptional woman whose achievements continue to inspire everyone across the length and breadth of not just corporate Nigeria but the African continent at large.
It is quite arduous for everyone acquainted with her prodigious abilities not to fawn over her remarkable accomplishments and stroke of genius as a thoroughbred professional who can hold her own anywhere in the world.
Bella, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of Massachusetts, also holds a Master’s in Science Degree from Northeastern University. Her experience schooling in the Boston area has helped in shaping experience as a result of alliance and a formidable bond with the Nigerian community.
As Executive Vice Chairman of Globacom, she has been instrumental in propelling Nigeria’s leading telecommunications company to the forefront of Nigeria’s digital revolution. Under her stewardship, Globacom has fostered technological advancement and further bridging the digital divide.
Bella’s achievement is not limited to field of telecommunications.
She is the Chief Executive Officer of Cobblestone Properties and Estates Limited. She has transformed the real estate firm into one of the most consequential in this part of the world, designing and constructing world-class properties.
Cobblestone boasts iconic developments, such as Bella’s Place, a seven-story office complex; The Mall, Ile-Oja at Opebi; and the premium retail destination, Ilé-Ọjà, Victoria Island. How can we forget the aesthetic Sisi Paris residential apartment in Lagos, one of its kind in Africa. These are merely a microcosm of a much larger vision that continues to shape the urban landscape with Cobblestone’s signature excellence and exemplify her commitment to blending aesthetic elegance with functional design.
In her capacity as Chairman of Abumet Nigeria Limited, Bella orchestrated a remarkable turnaround, transforming the company’s fortunes with a monumental profit surge in the past year. Her leadership introduced innovative façade technologies, including energy-efficient unitised curtain walls, positioning Abumet as a leader in sustainable construction solutions.
Bella sits on the board of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc as a director. She has brought with her a breath of fresh air and youthful effervescence into the Apex Manufacturing Company, which can do with her 21st-century transformative perspectives.
She was featured as one of the top 500 Chief Executive Officers by a reputable African business magazine and has been the guest of presidents and heads of governments alike.
She was inducted into Nigerian Institute of Directors 6 years ago. The Institute of Directors was established 36 year ago to professionally develop directors by imbuing them with leadership skills to enable them to develop the country.
Bella is a powerful public speaker. She captivates audiences anywhere she speaks and does so effortlessly. Her words are flowery but punchy and they permeate souls. She inspires excellence. As an excellent storyteller, she communicates passionately and enthusiastically, painting a mental picture with words as she engages listeners maximally with her remarkable life experiences.
As a polymath, Bella is multilingual and speaks several languages to various degrees. She has an excellent command of the English language as well as her native Yoruba. Bella also speaks a lot of French and has a remarkable understanding and communication skills in the Igbo language.
Bella does not just love arts, she is a quintessential partaker. She plays the keyboard and the saxophone. This is a musical instrument mainly associated with the male folk in this part of the world but is one of several instruments which she has been comfortable playing. She has performed with these instruments at family parties. She is also an impressive dancer to boot.
Bella’s commitment to gender equality is exemplified by the launch of the SheGlows Program . This initiative aims to nurture female leaders within Globacom, creating a supportive ecosystem for women’s professional growth. Her advocacy extends to her role as chair and keynote speaker at the 67th International Women’s Society Investiture, where she emphasised the importance of empowering women and girls.
Through the Bella Disu Foundation, she has made significant strides in education and health. Notably, the foundation’s 2023 initiative at Dairy Farm Secondary School in Lagos enhanced the school’s ICT lab, enriched its library, and provided new uniforms to 100 students, symbolising unity and pride.
A fervent supporter of the arts, Bella continues to serve as a director at the Mike Adenuga Centre, promoting French and Nigerian cultures. Her children’s book, “Soso and The Kako Leaf,” published in June 2022, received a GOLD Mom’s Choice Award and a 5-star review from Readers’ Favourite, reflecting her dedication to nurturing young minds.
At 39, Bella Disu stands as a testament to what visionary leadership, relentless determination, and a commitment to excellence can achieve. Her multifaceted contributions across telecommunications, real estate, manufacturing, philanthropy, and the arts carve out her unique path as a formidable force in Africa’s socio-economic development.
Happy Birthday, Madam Bella
KELECHI OKORIE
