History Made...As Gabonese President Honours Serial investor Tony Elumelu With Commander in National Order of Gabonese Merit; Enter the Significance of the new Honour
By Mike cerutti Osagie
"Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better."
These words of wisdom from Maya Angelou resonate deeply with the remarkable story of Tony Elumelu, the Group Chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation.
Only last night Elumelu was honored with Gabon's highest civilian award, Commander in the National Order of Gabonese Merit, for his outstanding contributions to Africa's economic development.
The Gabonese President, General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, presented the award to Elumelu, recognizing his transformative impact on youth entrepreneurship and infrastructure development in Gabon and across the continent. This prestigious honor is a testament to Elumelu's commitment to inclusive and sustainable development in Africa, showcasing his dedication to empowering young Africans and driving economic growth.
Through the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Elumelu has empowered over 18,500 young African entrepreneurs, providing them with training, mentorship, and $5,000 in non-refundable seed capital to start and grow their businesses. This initiative has not only created jobs but also instilled a sense of hope and possibility among the youth, demonstrating the potential for Africa's future generations.
Elumelu's economic philosophy, Africapitalism, emphasizes the private sector's role in driving social and economic development in Africa. By investing in the continent's youth and infrastructure, Elumelu is building bridges between nations, ambition, and opportunity. His work with UBA has facilitated financial inclusion and development, supporting Gabon's economic recovery and inclusive growth under new leadership.
The recognition by the Gabonese President underscores Elumelu's influence on the continent's growth and his commitment to Africa-led solutions. As a champion of African development and entrepreneurship, Elumelu's legacy continues to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders.
In a recent meeting with President Nguema, Elumelu reaffirmed his commitment to Gabon's development, pledging support for infrastructure projects through UBA and announcing that the Tony Elumelu Foundation would provide annual non-refundable seed funding of $5,000 to young Gabonese entrepreneurs.
Elumelu's achievements have been recognized globally, and he was named one of TIME magazine's 100 most influential people in the world in 2020. He has also received Belgium's highest national honor, the Officer in the Order of Leopold, for his commitment to poverty eradication and economic empowerment of young Africans.
This honor is a reminder of what can be achieved together as Africans. At UBA and the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Elumelu remains committed to building bridges, not just between nations, but between ambition and opportunity. His vision for Africa's future is one of growth, prosperity, and empowerment, driven by the continkent's own entrepreneurs and leaders.
As Africa continues to navigate its development journey, leaders like Tony Elumelu serve as beacons of hope, demonstrating that with vision, dedication, and strategic investment, the continent's challenges can be transformed into opportunities for growth and prosperity.
The award ceremony, held at the presidential palace in Libreville, was a testament to Elumelu's dedication to Africa's development. President Nguema praised Elumelu, saying, "Tony Elumelu is not only a visionary entrepreneur but also a committed friend of our nation." Elumelu, visibly moved by the accolade, expressed gratitude while reaffirming his dedication to Africa-led growth
~ More wins to the Africans top philanthropist Tony Elumelu
© Osagie is a professional wordsmith and humanitarian,who is also the publisher of the international magazine brand called Richlist
• He sent this piece from his Ikoyi Lagos Base. He can be contacted via chiefcerrutti@gmail.com or SMS WhatsApp network+234 7042631895
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