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TONY ELUMELU’S STYLE OF PHILANTHROPY

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OLA KING

In his widely read column, Pendulum, ace journalist and publisher, Dele Momodu, recently penned a very inspiring piece entitled “Tony Elumelu,the President Africa Needs Desperately”.

Of course, except you carefully read and digest the contents of that beautifully knitted article, you will want to puncture Momodu’summation about Elumelu, as some un-informed critics are wont to do.

But those who know the essential Elumelu better would tell you that Momodu had not exaggerated in his description in any way.

About a decade ago, precisely July 2010, Elumelu, an economist, entrepreneur, philanthropist, founded the now internationally recognized Tony Elumelu Foundation, TEF, after retiring as CEO, United Bank For Africa, UBA.

Unlike some others on the verge of retiring, Elumelu, an international renowned businessman never nursed any fears of retiring into irrelevance or obscurity.
Indeed, when he was retiring from UBA at 47, he already had a vista of some potentially great plans laid before him, one of which is the
Foundation.

In launching the Foundation, Elumelu, who was born on March 22, 1963, clearly spelt out its objective: “to prove that the African private sector can itself be the primary generator of economic development.

The Foundation is charged with the mission of driving Africa’s economic development by enhancing the competitiveness of the African
private sector.

“As a premier pan-African-focused not-for-profit institution, the Tony Elumelu Foundation is dedicated to the promotion and celebration of entrepreneurship and excellence in business leadership across the continent.”

Interestingly, Elumelu, also the Chairman of Heirs Holdings has remained
very faithful to his seeming vow with humanity. Some years ago, he
pledged the sum of $100m to empower 1,000 entrepreneurs at $10m per
annum over a period of 10 years.

Also , as proof of his commitment to eradicate poverty and reduce unemployment across Africa, Elumelu, few weeks ago, gathered notable personalities from all walks of life for the fifth edition of the Tony Elumelu Foundation Forum.

The three-day event with the theme” Empowering African Entrepreneurs” held at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja.

Since the widely publicized event held, it has been generating critical discourses across the globe. Without a doubt, the event has further
highlighted is abiding desire to give promising African youth a lift.

In order words, the Delta State-born multiple investor has offered himself as an angel of hope to many.

Described as arguably the largest gathering of entrepreneurs, policymakers, and business leaders across the continent, it was graced
by five African presidents, including President Paul Kagame of Rwanda; President Macky Sall of Senegal and President Felix Tshisekedi of
Democratic Republic of Congo; Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, and Akinwunmi Adesina, President, African Development Bank.

Society

Oando Boss, Wale Tinubu, Celebrates Alake of Egbaland at 80

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Alake of Egbaland

The Group Chief Executive, Oando Group, Mr. Adewale Tinubu, CON, has felicitated the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, on his 80th birthday.

The oil mogul, in a message made available today, Thursday  September 14, 2023 congratulated the revered and respected monarch, who is also the Chairman of Oando Group, on the milestone.

Tinubu wrote: “I felicitate the Chairman of Oando, His Royal Majesty, the Alake of Egbaland, on his landmark 80th birthday.

Kabiyesi, your leadership and wisdom have been a beacon of inspiration to us all, and we, who have been privileged to know and work with you, have been positively impacted by you.

“80 years is truly a blessing from God, and I wish you good health, and many more years of impactful leadership.

“May your reign be blessed with continued success and your legacy forever etched in history. Kabiyesi o.”

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When High Flying Personalities gathered to Honour Iyalode of Lagos, Bintu Tinubu at 80

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‘’Of all the gifts that life has to offer, a loving mother is the greatest of them all’’ so says a popular quote.

To say that Oando boss, Wale Tinubu and his siblings were blessed with a loving mother is like stating the obvious, their mother, Chief (Mrs.) Bintu-Fatima Tinubu, the Iyalode of Lagos is a one a million whose love and care has guide them to who they are today.

Her love is  sweeter than flower of love.

To appreciate the loving, selfless and hardworking mother, her children Wale, Shola, Iyabo, Kunle, Jide and Olu yesterday gathered the world when the celebrated the woman as she clocked 80 in a blaze of glory.

For the children,  the attainment of the ripe age of 80 is  worth celebrating, particularly in a country, where death is so cheap.

It was a great moment for the Edo State-born businesswoman as her families, friends and business associates gathered to share her gladsome moment with her.

The birthday party is no doubt would be described as a blowout, lively, sparkling, fun, exciting, and enjoyable, it is simply the best so far  in the year 2023.

Trust the Tinubus, they are  detribalised Nigerians whose circle of friends cuts across the various Nigerian tribes that they has built over the years.

They   showcased their  hospitality side as they hosted Who- is-who in high society, including captains of industry, monarchs, politicians, socialites and celebrities, yesterday Sunday, July 2nd 2023 at  the Grand Ballroom, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

It was indeed a night for the high-networth,  high profile and highflying  eminent personalities.

It was obvious that they have a commanding sense of hospitality. It was upscale and finest in all ramifications.

 From the catering to the ushering, no stone was left unturned. Ushers were brought in to perform different tasks; from assigning seats to guests to taking their meal requests and even ensuring that the place was immaculate and clean.

The hall was colourfully decorated with balloons and other aesthetic materials to give it a regal look. The foods were incredibly rich, flavoursome and magically moreish.

Premium and top-quality drinks only meant for the elites flowed like an endless river. Indeed, the gaily guests had no reason to complain as everything was well taken care of.

There was no dull moment as Vintage Band was there to serenade the gaily dressed guests.

The party go to its peak with the King of Juju music, King Sunny Ade that proved that he is still on top of his game as he livened up the atmosphere with his world class beat while guests danced until their legs could no longer carry them. 

Some of the guests at the birthday bash include, the governor of Lagos; Babajide Sanwoolu with his wife, Ibijoke Sanwoolu, Ogun State governor; Dapo Abiodun, Kwara State governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, Senator Gbenga Daniel with his wife, Yeye Funke Daniel  Senator Ibikunle Amosun with his wife, Funsho Amosun,  Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola, Tony Elumelu, Abdulsamad Rabiu, Hajia Bola  Shagaya, former Senate President, Bukola Saraki with his wife, Toyin Saraki, Babagana Kingigbe, Folly Coker, Wale Edun, Mo Abudu, Founder and Coordinator of Tinubu Support Group; Hon. Aminu Suleiman, Segun Awolowo, Hajia Abbah Folawiyo, Yomi Awobokun, Among several other eminent personalities.

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Celebrating The King of African Oil, Jubril Adewale Tinubu at 56

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Jubril Adewale Tinubu

From midnight, even as  Jubril Adewale Tinubu, CON,  Group Chief Executive, Oando Plc, chose to  put his mobile phone on silent mode, its screen flashed continuously and  aroused  him from his beautiful sleep, as it was  bombarded with calls and text messages from family members, friends , business associates et al.

Interestingly, the undisguised expressions of love by his loved ones from that dead of night and through the rest of the day have become like an annual ritual of sorts that they perform whenever the oil guru marks his birthday.

On his part, the University of Liverpool- trained lawyer has so much to thank God for, as he turned 56 today, Monday, June 26.

A reliable source told us that Tinubu, who began his career with his family law firm, K.O. Tinubu and Co., in 1990 and later co-founded Ocean and Oil Group in 1994, is celebrating the birthday surrounded by  his family at his residence in London.  

Also, the occasion affords Tinubu, fondly called The King of  African Oil, to  thanked God for the rare grace to have lived an eventful life thus far and for another great opportunity to reflective on his earthly sojourn so far, and pray for greater blessings in the coming years.

It was also gathered that he would use the occasion to put smiles on the faces of the needy around him in his characteristic magnanimity and sense of fellow-feeling.

This may not be surprising to those who know him too well, as he had used the occasions of his birthday in the past to act as the Angel of hope to the disadvantaged members of the society.

Just like his name, Jubril, he has been an angel to many whose paths have crossed with his on many occasions. He has lent support and been a shoulder to lean on for numerous less-privileged and the poor.  He is indeed  a bellwether in the acts of generosity to  others. He sees sharing love with them as a sacred devotion.

The man who today is Africa’s pride in oil and gas   is usually driven by an abiding quest to change the lives of his people  for the better.

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