Commendations, Best Wishes for Tony Elumelu at 60
By Innocent Okoh.
22 March, 2022.
It was so much ado of commendations and well wishes for Tony Elumelu, the chairman of United Bank of Africa, as World leaders, associates and friends across the globe, on Wednesday celebrated the Lion King with countless congratulatory messages in the new and contemporary media, on his 60th birthday.
Among those loving and notable hearts warming congratulatory messages and wishes was the one from Bill Clinton, former US president and his wife, Hillary Clinton, they wrote: “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. It’s been very inspiring for us to see your passion for philanthropy up close, and to watch you as you empower a rising 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. Hillary and I are glad to join your family, friends, and admirers from around the world in wishing you a very happy 60th birthday.”
Nana Akufo-Addo, the president of Ghana, also wrote and he said, “Happy Birthday Tony, and may the next 60 years of your life be even greater and brighter, for me, there is no greater symbol of entrepreneurship in the 21s century in Africa than this iconic Nigerian entrepreneur, Tony Elumelu, easily the equal of the celebrated entrepreneurs of our generation, Gates, Page, Bezos, Zuckerberg, Dangote, Strive Masiyiwa, Jim Ovia and the others.”
Another notable one was from Bola Ahmed Tinubu, president-elect, Nigeria, he said: “Tony’s business acumen is a gift to Nigeria that continues giving. I have no doubt that his foundation continues to be one of the factors that contributes to the development of youth potential and businesses across our great nation, Nigeria. He has set a good example, among other men of honour, for how to empower others through one’s good fortune in life.”
“It is, therefore with the utmost sincerity and joy that I felicitate with my good friend and brother, Tony Elumelu as he celebrates his 60th birthday, wishing him many years to come and hoping we will, in the nearest future, discuss over a drink, more ways he can contribute to the growth and development of Nigeria and her business terrain,” Tinubu said.
Emmanuel Macron, president of France; also said: “It is a great pleasure for me to write to you on this very special occasion, as it allows me to once again acknowledge the outstanding efforts put in place by your Foundation and yourself to support a vision of African entrepreneurship that we both share, and to strengthen the continent’s position in the global economy.”
“I can therefore only commend the Tony Elumelu Foundation for the numerous initiatives and unquestionable positive impact it has as a leading philanthropic organisation.”
Other current and past leaders including Tony Blair, former UK Prime Minister; Muhammadu Buhari, president of Nigeria, Paul Kagame of Rwanda; etc, also wished the Africapitalist well.
And during a symposium held in his honour in Lagos, notable entrepreneurs like Ama Harris Tukus, TEF Alumni from Liberia, who provides education for underserved communities, and other entrepreneurs in Africa, including Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Ghana, Benin Republic, and Burkina Faso, voiced out their wishes for the birthday man of the moment, as they came out in turn to give him commendations for helping them break into the Africa and global market through the TEF.
