President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated billionaire businessman and Chairman of Transcorp, Tony Elumelu, as he clocks 60 on Wednesday, March 22.
In a statement by his Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the president said he shared the joy and warmth of the occasion with the distinguished banker, economist, and philanthropist, who was ranked amongst World’s 100 most influential personalities in 2020 by Time.
“President Buhari felicitates with Chairman of the United Bank of Africa (UBA) Group on the milestone, affirming the honor and pride that the benefactor has brought to Nigeria, and Africa, with his achievements, lighting the way for many to grow through inspiration, mentorship and training, with focus on raising generation of entrepreneurs.
“The President believes Elumelu’s benevolence typifies his humble background and upbringing, starting out as a young banker, daring to dream of a modern and technologically friendly financial institution, Standard Trust Bank, and leading one of the biggest mergers with the UBA, which made history and strengthened the economy.
“President Buhari notes the combination of youthfulness in style, broadness in networking, with both old and young, and the passion in pursuing and realizing dreams that the entrepreneur continually projects, graciously guiding others to nurture their business ideas to reality, especially in meeting societal needs and rendering value.
“As the Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Transcorp and Tony Elumelu Foundation clocks 60, the President joins family members, particularly his wife, Dr Awele Elumelu, in thanksgiving to God for all the resourcefulness and impact, with brighter future ahead,” the statement read in part.
President Buhari prayed for long life, good health and wisdom for the humanitarian.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that following the merger of Standard Trust Bank and United Bank for Africa in 2005, Elumelu led the company as Group Managing Director from a single-country banking group to a pan-African bank with subsidiaries in 20 African countries, France, the U.S and the U.K, eventually stepping down in 2010.
Elumelu currently chairs the board of the United Bank for Africa.