Global leaders, African entrepreneurs, business and economic magnates from around the world yesterday lauded Chairman, Heirs Holdings and founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), Tony O. Elumelu for his entrepreneurship prowess and contributions to Africa’s economic development.
Elumelu marked his 60th birthday celebration in Lagos in company of business leaders across the world, business associates, Group Managing Director, United bank for Africa Plc (UBA), Oliver Alawuba, staff of the bank, beneficiaries of the TEF entrepreneurship programmes across Africa, his wife, Dr. Awele Elumelu and their children.
Speaking at a symposium in honor of Tony O. Elumelu (T.O.E @ 60 Symposium) in Lagos, many of the beneficiaries of the TEF entrepreneurship programmes, said the programme was a springboard to their success in business and life.
One of the beneficiaries, Founder and CEO of Cameroon Safety Services (CSS), Nyong Clement, said that the grant from the TEF helped him to grow the safety and environment-friendly business.
Other beneficiaries said that TEF has continued to empower young people across Africa with skills and capital.
Many of the guests and leaders across the world described Elumelu as a great philanthropist who has impacted many lives positively across Africa, saying his exploits are written on the sand of time.
Dr. Awele Elumelu and their children praised Tony Elumelu for his support for the family and for bringing smiles to many other people across the continent, through his philanthropy works and entrepreneurship development.
The 42nd President of the United States of America, Bill Clinton, lauded Elumelu for his great exploits. He wrote” Dear Tony, Hillary and I are glad to join your family, friends and admirers from around the world in wishing you a very happy 60th birthday”.
“From your successful career in business to your amazing work with your foundation, you have accomplished so very much throughout your first remarkable six decades”.
He commanded Elumelu’s passion and commitment to supporting new generation of entrepreneurs across Africa.
“So on this milestone, we want to say thanks: thank you for your friendship, for your good work, for your unwavering belief in a better tomorrow. Have a great celebration today and many, many more. You deserve it, and the rest of us need you healthy, and young in spirit,” he said.
Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, said Elumelu’s life has been characterised by outstanding accomplishments, visible productivity, and remarkable experiences throughout his 60 years on this earth under God’s grace.
“Over the years since I was elected President of Nigeria in 1999, I have watched you grow in life and in business with much admiration.”
He said Elumelu’s visionary leadership led to the transformation of United Bank for Africa, Plc, from a single-country bank to a Pan-African financial institution present in 20 African countries, the United Kingdom, France, and United Arab Emirates.
“I am particularly grateful to you and others in the private sector who took advantage of our policies and programmes to contribute to the growth of the Nigerian economy, employment generation and wealth creation. You are truly deserving of all the accolades and recognitions that you will receive on this occasion of your 60th birthday anniversary,” he said.
Former President, Goodluck Jonathan, said that as a businessman and entrepreneur, Elumelu remains an inspiration to many youths across Africa through the Tony Elumelu Foundation where he has encouraged many to discover their purpose in life.
“You have also made significant contributions to the growth and development of Nigeria’s economy through your business and investments,” Jonathan said.
For the Founder, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Elumelu conducts his business with a disarming smile and possesses innate ability to improve the lives of those around him and unending determination to make the society a better place.
“By sheer dint of hard work, personal conviction and vision, Mr. Tony Elumelu, economist and philanthropist, has over the past decades etched his footprints across the landscape of Africa and Nigeria. As Chairman of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, he has empowered entrepreneurs and encouraged females and youth to embrace sustainable development across all 54 countries on the continent.
“Over $100 million has been distributed as grants for seed capital to support more than 1.5 million entrepreneurs across Africa, and more than 18,000 businesses funded through the Tony Elumelu Foundation. Little wonder Mr. Tony Elumelu was named on the Time Magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2020,” he said.
“On this auspicious occasion of your landmark of 60, I congratulate you on behalf of the Management and staff of Dangote Industries Limited. I also join you and the entire Elumelu family to give thanks to God for a life full of accomplishments in service,” Dangote said.
According to business mogul and philanthropist, Femi Otedola, Elumelu has made remarkable achievements in the sixty years of his sojourn on mother earth.
“As a successful banker, you demonstrated strategic foresight and visionary leadership which led to the merger of two banks during the banking consolidation policy of the Obasanjo Government. The subsequent expansion of the operational base of the United Bank for Africa beyond the shores of Nigeria to over 20 other countries in Africa and beyond is remarkable,” he said.
“Your desire to give back to the society through The Tony Elumelu Foundation has remained a benchmark for aspiring leaders to emulate. The vision and tenacity in empowerment of African youths in education and entrepreneurial skills to fulfill their dreams with the aim of positively changing the African narrative is worthy of emulation”.
Chairman, Bua Group, Abdul Rabiu, also extolled Elumelu’s visionary leadership – in business, philanthropy, and many other areas, which continue to inspire and motivate millions of people, especially young people, to follow their dreams and aspire to excellence. “I am very proud to be associated with you,” he said.
