SERVING HUMANITY: The Path of Tony Elumelu

- Building Independent Young African Entrepreneurs – the words of a Kin Observer by Mazi Uchenna Nwafor 

Ekene Omenma, Omekwa Ozo; this is an Igbo adage, when translated means “When you appreciate a man’s good deed, he does more”. This saying however is a  well known life doctrine and it depicts the story of one of Nigeria’s outstanding Entrepreneur and Philanthropist, whose works for humanity have been speaking on his behalf beyond the shores of Africa. Every Human being is created with the responsibility to serve God and serve humanity, whereas, handing down of wealth is a responsibility of trust from God to man to be used for the benefit of all. A Nigerian, understood the above assertion, that led him to trade on the path he is trading today, touching lives, building an independent Africa and Africans of the future. He is Anthony Onyemaechi Elumelu CFR.

Every human being is a reflection of the family he/she belongs. Tony Elumelu’s exhibition of humanitarian trait is indeed a reflection of his family in a mirror.  It is therefore important to applaud his parents Mr. and Mrs. Dominic and Suzanne Elumelu for the training given to him growing up and the breed of orientation accorded him as a young man. Appreciation must surely go to the bone of his bone, his wife; Dr. Awele Vivian Element for the support and encouragement she has accorded him all through family and business life. To all his children, its a big thank you for being great kids and always putting up a smile on the face of your parents. It is the prayer of every parents that their children grow greater than they are, hence it is the desire of people of goodwill that the children also follow the path of service to humanity. When a man has friends and support system as siblings, his life is always at ease, especially with one such as Rt. Hon. Ndudi Godwin Elumelu OON, the former Minority Leaders House of Representative. It is therefore proper to say that the Elumelu’s are a Humanitarian Family. 

Anthony Onyemaechi Elumelu CFR, is indeed a rare gem, a scarce specie of human, a man whose quest to serve humanity is out of this world, neutral in doing good with no consideration to ethnic, religion or country, but doing good to all, especially the African Young People and expecting no applause in return. The Bible said and I quote “If you pour yourself out for the hungry (poor), and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday” Isaiah 58:10, and “Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble” – Psalm 41:1. These divine principles are what keeps a man that consider the plight of others, help the needy and decides to fulfill the obligations to life. God will forever keep their feet on the right path as multitude of people are praying for them at every giving moment of the day. With the number of lives touched by him through his foundation (Tony Elumelu Foundation - TEF), he will surely live and enjoy old age; his home will be a place of pilgrimage in the days of his rest (retirement age) as the lives he touched and helped without knowing who they are, what they believe and where they come from will rally round him both in presence and spirit to increase the longevity of his time here on earth. TONY – No word can describe this personality. 

It is a general believe that the upbringing, personal orientation and conviction to life is the bases for what a man offers to humanity – and that is exactly the lifestyle of Tony Elumelu. This piece of writing is not to number or appraise his humanitarian/Philanthropic gestures, but to in return of what he has done over the years and is still doing to humanity, say a BIG THANK YOU and WELL DONE for all the lives he has touched, teaching young Africans to be self-reliance in entrepreneurship, improving the economy of Africa and bridging the gap of western dependency. An Igbo popular proverb says “Jide ki Iji” which means when a man is asked to hold unto what he has, it means what he have is good”. Indeed Tony Elumelu’s principles of life, his pursuit, pattern and ways are rare to spot in this our world of today where men will rather wish all people will be at their mercy to live. But his, he have given to serve humanity free of charge, his life and livelihood he offered for the good of young Africans growing up to secure an independent continent and people. The World and African Leaders are fully in support of the path Tony is towing with the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), creating a sustainable, Independent and competitive private sector in Africa, that will pull out Africa and African governments from a third-world and developing nations and continent to a DEVELOPED and LEADING GLOBAL ECONOMY in the nearest future. For this feat I say, Jide ki ji. Showing the world that men who are ready to serve humanity can do so from whatever sphere of endevour and not only through political office as many have made it seem in Nigeria today. 

Anthony Onyemaechi Elumelu is one man who have taken upon himself to dare every odd that comes with human responsibilities to serve his people. As an entrepreneur, he put up strong platform to meet the yenning of the people, putting food on their tables, building chains of competitive and financially grounded businesses/businessmen across Africa, given many paid-job opportunities and the privilege of growing and developing professional careers over the years, through his sole determination to establish and run businesses rather than rely on paid stipends, so that others could benefit from his economic struggles. Nigeria and indeed Africa can never pay you back for all these deeds, but will forever be grateful for the love to country, Continent and humanity. 

Through the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) founded in 2010, Elumelu launched a Decade Long Commitment of $100,000,000 (One Hundred Million Dollars) with the intent of creating One Million new jobs across Africa and adding at least Ten Billion Dollars to the revenue of Africa. This programme has scout and identified thousands of African young entrepreneurs/prospective entrepreneurs with the potentials to grow business who are selected through an efficient and effective selection criterion organized in conjunction with Accenture Development Partners. Applicants are appraised in terms of the feasibility of business idea, market opportunity, financial understanding, scalability, leadership and entrepreneurship skills in various sector of agriculture, fashion, ICT, education and training, commerce and retail, manufacturing, media and entertainment, healthcare, professional services and others, which is apportioned in percentage. The applicants are then trained and empowered, providing access to sustainable living. This programme was triggered by the key believe that the Private Sector have a role in developing the African continent. Hence through its professional platform, the organization have giving professional training, great and influential business mentorship, seed capital of non-refundable $5,000 Dollars to each successful beneficiary with access to business and financial education, that can hardly be gotten within the four-walls of the classroom in conventional academic institutions. This is a venture created to drive Africa’s economy.

With the height attended in life, Tony is a humble man and down to earth. For a man of his caliber living his life simple and easy going, respecting all human class is just but better imagined. Congratulations for the great asset in character that many will wish to have. 

Anthony Onyemaechi Elumelu CFR, a worthy son of Onioch-Ukwu in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, a great Nigerian National Asset and the pillar of Africa’s economic growth and development. The Chairman, United Bank of Africa (UBA) Group, Heirs Holdings, Transcorp Plc and the Founder Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF). The services he rendered to humanity, no man can pay back, only but say “Thank You” and offer him in return an award, recognition and praise as a sign of reward for his sacrifice and support to men, countries and continents – some of such awards are: 

Federal Government of Nigeria Award of National Honour: Member of the Order of the Federal Republic MFR and Commander of the Order of the Niger CON – 2003/2012.

Nigerian Man of the Year – Daily Times Newspaper – 2016.

All Africa Business Leaders Awards (AABLA) Philanthropist of the Year Award – 2018/2019. Honorary Doctor of Business Degree – Beyero University Kano – 2019.

Federal Government of Nigeria National Productivity Order of Merit Award - 2020.

100 Most Influential Popole of 2020 – TIME Magazine

Federal Government of Nigeria Award of National Honour: Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic CFR – 2022.

Laurette of ECOWAS Prize of Excellence Award for Deserving Citizens of the Community – Presidents of the ECOWAS States – 2022.

Prospective Award as: Economic Pillar of Africa’s Entrepreneurship and Young Entrepreneurs – Green Coin Business Resource – 2023.

In every man’s life all that matters is the legacy he leaves when all about him is only but history. Elumelu understood this assertion, which is prominent in one of his notable quotes which reads and I quote “We need to give from the perspective of empowering the recipient, rather than making them dependent”. Holding unto it passionately have been one of the greatest weapons in his arsenal, which is the propelling force in the activities of TEF. Holding unto God at all time, honouring all men and looking down on no man, always lending a helping hand, seeking peace with all men and helping your country and continent is a feat that cannot be wished away and it is a great strength. You are a gift to this generation and the one to come.  Congratulations!

Africa and indeed the World Salute you, your stories will be written with multiple pens as everyman have his/her better perspective, painting you in varieties of themes, writing their story from the impact you created in their lives. The people applaud and appreciate your humanitarian, entrepreneurial, national and selfless service and the promotion of private enterprise globally. Your story has been an encouragement to many secret and open young admirers, who mentors after you. History will write you in multiple colours, posterity will treat you well, Nigeria and Africa will remember you long after you are gone, for you lived your life for the good of the people and your shoulder have become a Burden Carrier for the entire African continent – Anthony Onyemaechi Elumelu CFR, A Worthy Gift to Humanity.

This piece is written to encourage service to humanity

By: Mazi Uchenna Nwafor

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Youtube Video Link for Tony Elumelu – ‘A Worthy Gift to Humanity’ Poem: 

https://youtu.be/18bampSb_4k