President Muhammadu Buhari and Delta state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa have congratulated the chairman of UBA Plc, Mr. Tony Elumelu on his 58th birthday describing the renowned economist and philanthropist as a pride of Delta state.
In joining family and friends to rejoice with the entrepreneur, the President noted that Elumelu’s interests continue to create opportunities for growth and development in the country.
According to Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), Buhari “commends the economist for his foresight and large-heartedness in setting up the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), which has consistently inspired highly talented African youths into entrepreneurship, helped many to acquire business skills, enhanced positive social networks and provided start-up funds, within the larger goal of reducing poverty.
“The President believes Elumelu, who is the Chairman of Heirs Holdings, United Bank for Africa and Transcorp, demonstrates resilience and relentlessness in dream realization, following his antecedents as a young banker who saw opportunities in the economy and worked hard to climb the ladder of success, receiving Nigeria’s National Productivity Order of Merit in 2019.
“As Elumelu spreads investments into energy, real estate, agribusiness, health care and hospitality, creating more opportunities in the real sector, the President prays for more wisdom, good health and longer life for the investor”.
Similarly, Okowa, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, described Elumelu as a consummate banker, genteel economist, savvy entrepreneur and great philanthropist with a huge passion to empower humanity.
He stated that Deltans would remain proud of Tony Elumelu for his legendary accomplishments, particularly in his Africapitalism mantra, for the uplifting of Africans.
Okowa also commended the UBA and Heirs Holdings boss for his contributions to the empowerment of youths in Delta and for his bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility projects, especially the turning around of the aesthetics of Asaba.
“Tony, you are a pride of Delta, and I must commend you for your economic philosophy of Africapitalism, which encapsulates private sector’s commitment to the economic transformation of Africa through long-term investments.
“You have contributed immensely to the creation of economic prosperity and social wealth for Africans through the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF),” he said.
“On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta, I congratulate you, an illustrious son of Delta, Mr Tony Onyemaechi Elumelu, CON, on the occasion of your 58th birth anniversary.
“Your contributions to entrepreneurship in Nigeria and Africa remain laudable and will continue to inspire us, as government, as we build a Stronger Delta for our people.
“It is my prayer that God will continually bless you with robust health and more years of service to Him and humanity,” he added.
