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Tag: Elumelu

  • Tony Elumelu gets appointment in IMF

    Tony Elumelu gets appointment in IMF

    Heirs Holdings Founder and Group Chair, Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, has been appointed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to its Advisory Council on Entrepreneurship and Growth.

    Elumelu, Africa’s leading advocate of entrepreneurship and whose Foundation has funded, mentored and trained over 25,000 African entrepreneurs since 2015, champions entrepreneurship as the engine for the economic transformation of Africa.

    A self-made entrepreneur, Elumelu’s embracing of entrepreneurship is fundamental to his concept of Africapitalism, his belief that Africa’s private sector can and must play a leading role in the continent’s development, making long-term investments, that deliver social and economic value.

    The Advisory Council comprises global business leaders, policymakers, and academics, dedicated to identifying and addressing regulatory barriers to entrepreneurship. Its mandate is to recommend policies that enhance resource allocation, stimulate innovation, and catalyse sustainable private sector-led economic growth. Elumelu will be instrumental in ensuring that Africa’s entrepreneurial potential is central to global economic policymaking.

    Other members of the Council include: Harberger Professor of Economics, University of Chicago, Professor Ufuk Akcigit; Saudi Ambassador to the United States, HRH Ambassador Reema Bandar Al-Saud; Chair, CEO, and Co-Founder of Salesforce, Mr. Marc Benioff; Executive Chair, Banco Santander, Ms. Ana Botín; Chairman, Tata Group, Mr. Natarajan Chandrasekaran; Chief Executive, Vodafone Group, Ms. Margherita Della Valle; Founder, Chairman and CEO, Vista Equity Partners, Mr. Robert Smith and Argentine Minister of Deregulation and State Transformation, Mr. Federico Sturzenegger.

    Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Advisory Council on Wednesday 26 March 2025, the IMF Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva, noted: “The Council brings together a group of leading thinkers and practitioners in business, finance, academia, and policymaking to share their views and experiences on how macroeconomic and financial policies can provide a supportive environment for innovation, entrepreneurship, and productivity—key ingredients for a thriving private sector and strong economic growth.”

  • Just In: Elumelu to return to HoR as Tribunal nullifies LP candidate’s victory in Delta

    Just In: Elumelu to return to HoR as Tribunal nullifies LP candidate’s victory in Delta

    The election of Honourable Ngozi Okolie of the Labour Party as a member of the 10th Federal House of Representatives has been voided by the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba, Delta State.

    Honourable Ngozi Okolie of the Labour Party was returned elected by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC in the February 25 election for Aniocha/Oshimili federal Constituency .

    The tribunal in a judgement on Monday, held that Okolie was not duly sponsored by the Labour Party as he was not a member of the party as at May 28, 2022 when the primary purportedly held.

    The tribunal declared the runner up in the February 25, 2023 National Assembly, Ndudi Elumelu of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), as winner.
    Elumelu who is the immediate past Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, had filed his petition, praying the tribunal to disqualify Okolie who was declared winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Details shortly…

  • Minority Leader, Elumelu loses Delta Rep seat to LP candidate

    Minority Leader, Elumelu loses Delta Rep seat to LP candidate

    The House of Representatives Minority Leader, Mr. Ndudi Elumelu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has been defeated by the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Mr Ngozi Okolie, in Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency of Delta.

    Elumelu pooled a total of 33,456 votes, while the LP candidate polled a total of 53,879 votes to emerge winner as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, Returning Officer, Prof. Kenneth Ibe, on Monday in Asaba.

  • Okowa, Omo-Agege, Okonjo-Iweala, Elumelu, other prominent Deltans bag national honours

    Okowa, Omo-Agege, Okonjo-Iweala, Elumelu, other prominent Deltans bag national honours

     

    Delta Governor and Vice-Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, Director-General of World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, were among illustrious Deltans honoured at the National Honours Award Investiture for 2022.

    Those honoured are Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III; Dein of Agbor, Dr Benjamin Ikenchukwu, Kiagborekuzi I; Ovie of Agbon Kingdom, Ogurimerime Ukori I; Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor; Chairman, Zenith Bank, Mr Jim Ovia and Chairman, UBA, Mr Tony Elumelu.

    Others are Chairman, ThisDay and Arise Group, Prince Nduka Obaigbena; Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu; Chairman, RainOil, Mr Gabriel Ogbechie and Kenneth Gbagi.

    They also include Professor Itse Sagay, Julius Dediare Rone, AVM Charles Owho, Professor Emmanuel Nwanze, Elton Edorhe, Deputy Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, Mr Victor Etuokwu and Mr Dike Chigbue.

    The ceremony which held on Tuesday at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in attendance.

    In his remarks shortly after the ceremony, Governor Okowa said that the Award was for Nigerians who had contributed to nation-building and I thanked God that he met the criteria to receive the award.

    He expressed gratitude to President Buhari and the National Honours Awards Committee for the investiture and congratulated other Deltans and Nigerians on their well-deserved honours.

    Okowa pledged to continue his contribution to nation-building to make Nigeria to realise its full potential.

    “I thank President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Honours Awards Committee for my investiture as a Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), in recognition of my contributions to the development of the nation.

    “I congratulate all Nigerians and distinguished Deltans who were also honoured with the various categories of National Awards.

    “This award makes me to realise that I have contributed my bit and I hope it will spur me to think more about the growth and development of this country.

    “I hope that together in commitment to this nation we will all continue to work with our people across Nigeria to find the growth path that can take us to Nigeria of our dream.

    “I must say that I am humbled by this recognition and pledge to continue to play my role to make Nigeria a better nation that lives up to its full potential,” he stated.

    Okowa also affirmed that the award would spur him to do more for Delta in the years ahead, adding that the “award is a call to duty for me and I thank God that i have the opportunity of being the Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party.

    “We are working very hard and we expect that Nigerians will be in a position to truly realise that the PDP team is the best team at this very critical time in the development of our nation.

    “By the grace of God, upon victory in 2023, I will work with the President, Atiku Abubakar and other stakeholders of this nation to find solutions to the current challenges that we have in our nation.

    “There is no doubt that the challenges are truly numerous and frightening in terms of disunity, insecurity and economic downturn which is affecting human capital development.

    “I believe that when God, through the elections helps us come to power that we will work with all sections of this country to begin to restore hope and to rebuild the cracked foundations of this country,” he stated.

    On her part, Director-General of World Trade Organisation Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said no award could be more gratifying than the one from one’s country and lauded President Buhari for the honour.

    She said the honour was a call to do more in her endeavours and expressed satisfaction with Governor Okowa’s human capital and infrastructural transformation in Delta in the last seven years.

    She urged him to do more in the remaining months of his administration.

    Responding on behalf of the award recipients, President of the Senate, Dr Ahmed Lawan, pledged their readiness to work with the President in surmounting the nation’s challenges in the remaining period in his tenure.

    He described the recipients of the awards as patriotic Nigerians that had impacted positively on the nation in all sectors.

    A total of 447 Nigerians were invested with award in various categories by the Federal Government.

  • NASRDA woos Dangote, Elumelu, others to invest in space tech

    NASRDA woos Dangote, Elumelu, others to invest in space tech

    The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), on Monday urged business moguls like Aliko Dangote and Tony Elumelu, among others, to invest in space Science and Technology sector of the country.

    Dr Felix Alle, Head, Media and Corporate Communications of the agency, in an interview with newsmen in Abuja, said Public Private Partnership (PPP) will boost space development.

    Alle said that the current leadership of the Space Agency under Dr Halilu Shaba was driven towards private sector participation that will ensure Nigerians benefit from space science and technology.

    The official emphasised that globally, big entrepreneurs like Elon Musk and Richard Branson were investing in space economy because opportunities for growth abound.

    He revealed that the desire to broaden PPP in the space sector spurred the agency to plan towards an internal conference and exhibition on Space Economy expected to hold early in 2023.

    Alle said: “We believe that when we have this PPP, the impact of space technology will be adequately felt by the larger society.

    “We are not relenting and NASRDA want Nigerians to be part of the space economy and the conference will showcase windows of opportunities available in the space sector.

    “Those opportunities will be highlighted to members of the public and prospective investors so they can key into it because a lot of our people are still ignorant of opportunities in this area.

    “We want the likes of Aliko Dangote, Elumelu and big businesses, entrepreneurs to show interest in the area of space sector.’’

    Alle urged entrepreneurs to see the sector as a very strategic area that they can invest in and at the same time contribute to the socio-economic development of this country.

    He added: “They can embark on so many projects, establish companies and boost their financial strength as well as create job opportunities for our youths.’’

    Alle said that the conference would be hosted in collaboration with the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and would gather key players across the globe.

    He also said that the agency was expanding its partnerships, both locally and internationally, added to the existing ones.

    According to him, ”we are doing all these to contribute to the socio-economic development of our country, because everything we do today has space connotation.”

    Alle further recalled a recent concession of some of the agency’s projects by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), to the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Adeleke Mamora.

    Alle listed the projects to include the Satellite Broadband project, the Planetarium and the Space Museum which have the capacity of generating N48billion over 15 years period of their concession.

    “The Director-General of ICRC , Mr Joe Ohiani, told the Minister then that the projects can generate about N48billion and create like 10,000 jobs if implemented.

    “It was a way of inviting PPP and the Memorandum to this effect is before the Federal Executive Council and as soon as this is approved, we will hit the ground running,’’ Alle said.

  • A crushing defeat awaits you in 2023, PDP’s Elumelu tells APC

    A crushing defeat awaits you in 2023, PDP’s Elumelu tells APC

    The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu (PDP Delta) has declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will face an inevitable and crushing fall in 2023 after which it will go into political oblivion.

    According to a statement by his Senior Legislative Aide, Tony Ayaegbunam, the lawmaker made the declaration at the valedictory session of the outgoing National Working Committee of the PDP in Abuja.

    The Minority Leader said the harmony in the PDP “signposts the peace, cohesiveness, and progress that will pervade our nation when our party takes over power in 2023 from the vexatious, retrogressive, and corrupt APC.”

    According to Elumelu, the achievement of a seamless transition in party administration at the expiration of statutory tenure reinforces the status of the PDP as a party of statesmen and women and the mainstay of democratic practice in our country.

    “I am happy that we have roundly shamed the APC and their agents, who, as naysayers and enemies of democracy, had set land mines, expecting our party to submerge in crisis, factionalize and founder, so as to deny Nigerians the platform to rescue our nation from the vicious claws and deadly stranglehold of the APC. The APC has failed in governance and party administration and a crushing fall awaits it in 2023”, Elumelu stated.

    The minority leader commended the outgoing NWC for their commitment to revamping and repositioning the party thereby restoring the confidence of the people in the PDP as the only viable platform for the restoration of good governance in the country.

    “I dare say that in spite of its many challenges, the outgoing NWC is an embodiment of the resilient spirit of the PDP. This NWC took up the challenge, picked our party from its lowest ebb, rebuilt our political stables, rekindled the zeal of our members, and restored the confidence of Nigerians in the PDP.

    “The courage and commitment exhibited by our leaders contributed in reigniting the passion in Nigerians to join forces with our party in their collective resolve to rescue our nation from the misrule of the APC,” he said.

    Elumelu also commended the NWC for entrenching a strong internal conflict resolution mechanism, adding that “since the resolution of the leadership issues in the House of Representatives, our caucus under my leadership has remained stable and forceful in opposition.”

    He however stressed his confidence in the incoming Iyorchia Ayu-led NWC to take the party to the next level of accomplishment, particularly the return of the PDP to power come 2023.

  • Delta State honours Unclesam, Okonjo-Iweala, Ovia, Elumelu, Clark, 76 others on 30th Anniversary

    Delta State honours Unclesam, Okonjo-Iweala, Ovia, Elumelu, Clark, 76 others on 30th Anniversary

    No fewer than 81 personalities of Delta origin, including the Publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, “Unclesam” Amuka, Director-General, World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, were honoured by the state government as it marked 30.
    The icons were honoured at a Gala and Award Night on Friday in Asaba to mark the grand finale of a week-long celebration of the 30th anniversary of the creation of the state.

    The awardees included Chairman of Zenith Bank, Mr Jim Ovia; Chairman of United Bank for Africa, Mr Tony Elumelu; and eminent scholar, Prof. Obaro Ikime, for their contributions to the development of the state and country.

    Others were Prof. Joy Ogwu, Prof. Grace Alele-Williams, Prof. Emmanuel Nwanze, renowned architect, Chief Charles Majoroh, Chief E.K. Clark, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.

    Vanguard Publisher, Mr Sam Amuka-Pemu; frontline comedian, Atunyota Akpobome (a.k.a Alibaba); Michael Ajereh (Don Jazzy); Ese Brume; and Timipamere Akiayefa were among.

    There were also three posthumous recipients – Chief Mukoro Mowoe, Chief James Otobo and Chief Dennis Osadebay, former Premier of defunct Midwest Region.

    Speaking at the event, Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa said the state had in its three decades of existence been a centre of diversity and inclusion, trials and triumphs and growth and stability.

    He thanked the people for their support and cooperation in building a smart, strong and safe state.

    “After 30 years, I can boldly say that it has been three decades of diversity and inclusion, of trials and triumphs, and of growth and stability.

    “More significantly, the people of the state have come to live as one big, happy family and the state has continued to forge ahead in all indices of human, physical and economic development,” he said.

    He expressed gratitude to the civil servants – serving, retired or late – who made huge sacrifices to ensure the successful take-off of the State.

    Okowa said that his administration was breaking new grounds in job and wealth creation through entrepreneurship development while building roads and physical infrastructure of the most vital interest and impact.

    “A classic example is the 20.28km Obotobo I – Obotobo II – Sokebolou – Yokri Road, beside the Atlantic Ocean in Burutu Local Government Area.

    “Furthermore, the riverside communities of Burutu, Oporoza, Okerenkoko and Benekrukru, among others, have been given a facelift with well-paved roads, while most urban centres are being enhanced through growth and renewal.

    “As we reflecte on the last 30 years, it is clear to us that celebration of this milestone will not be complete without recognising Deltans who have made the state proud in their various fields of endeavour.

    “While the public/civil servants are holding the home front, many of our own are flying the flag of the state in the national arena.

    “Hence, we decided to recognise some of our distinguished sons and daughters, and to also use the opportunity to let the whole world know the invaluable contributions Deltans are making to project Nigeria,” he said.

    The governor, said the list of prominent sons and daughters was by no means exhaustive and there were many sons and daughters of Delta making waves in various aspects of life and across the nations of the world.

    “As a government, we thought this is a good starting point and we are deeply grateful that the awardees considered it worthwhile to be here today and we thank you for giving us that honour,” the governor stated.

    He solicited the continued support of all the people, including those in the Diaspora, to his administration in its determination to deliver a stronger Delta to them.

    Okowa assured that ongoing projects and programmes would be concluded while premium would continue to be attached to the well-being of citizens

  • Kagame, Okonjo-Iweala, Ghebreyesus, Elumelu, others for UBA Africa Conversations 2021

    Kagame, Okonjo-Iweala, Ghebreyesus, Elumelu, others for UBA Africa Conversations 2021

    The UBA Africa Conversations 2021: Join Africa’s Global Leaders – President Kagame of Rwanda, WTO’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, UBA’s Tony O. Elumelu, WHO’s Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, IFC’s Makhtar Sop Diop, to Celebrate Africa Day at the UBA Africa Conversations 2021

    The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, is set to celebrate this year’s Africa Day in commemoration of African unity with the third edition of its annual UBA Africa Conversations, headlined by Africa’s international leaders that include the President of Rwanda, H.E Mr Paul Kagame; Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation(WTO); Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation(WHO) and Mr. Makhtar Sop Diop, Managing Director, International Finance Corporation(IFC). The conversations will be held online on africaday.ubagroup.com

    At a time of unparalleled African leadership in global organisations, the UBA Africa Conversations provides the opportunity for an African and global audience to hear directly from our distinguished guests on Africa’s relationship with the world, the opportunities and the challenges, and their own personal journeys.

    Moderated by Tony O. Elumelu, the Group Chairman, UBA and Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, discussions will be focused on Africa’s development in the areas of the economy and finance, trade, health and the unity of the continent.

    The theme this year is ‘Bringing Africa to the World’, epitomised by the global success of the panellists’ careers. The event will take place virtually on Tuesday May 25th, 2021 at 12pm WAT.

    Africa Day has been celebrated since 1963 on May 25th across the African continent and worldwide. The day was inaugurated by the Organisation of African Unity, in celebration of the unity, diversity and beauty of Africa and its people.

    UBA, one of Africa’s leading financial services institutions, with a pan-African footprint spanning 20 African countries and globally in the United States of America, the United Kingdom and with presence in France, continues to lead the narrative focused on the development, growth, and unity of Africa.

    The UBA Africa Conversations is open to all and registration is possible on the UBA Group website africaday.ubagroup.com/reserve

  • APC lawmakers ready to join PDP – Elumelu

    APC lawmakers ready to join PDP – Elumelu

    The minority leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, has disclosed that members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the House have expressed readiness to defect to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Elumelu stated this at the emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the PDP at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Thursday.

    The minority, leader who was attending the NEC meeting for the first time since the PDP minority leadership crisis was resolved, said APC lawmakers who were fed up with the failures of the APC have expressed desire to cross over to PDP.

    “I am pleased to report to NEC that given our unrelenting efforts, many of our colleagues in the APC have seen reasons to join forces with us and they have expressed their readiness to cross over to our party for the patriotic task ahead,” Elumelu revealed.

    He added that the APC members were worried that their party has eroded the gains achieved under the PDP administration.

    He said, “Sadly, these lofty gains have been wrecked within a space of six years by the overtly inept, corrupt, divisive and insensitive APC administration. We have never had it this bad in the history of our nation and Nigerians are crying out in pain.

    Today, due to the misrule of the APC, terrorism, mass killings, kidnapping, banditry, youth restiveness, economic hardship, unemployment, hunger and starvation and utter hopelessness have encircled our nation. Nigerians across board are now intensely looking up to our party to rescue our dear nation and we must not fail them.”

  • Buhari salutes Tony Elumelu at 58

    Buhari salutes Tony Elumelu at 58

    President Muhammadu Buhari has sent felicitations to renowned economist and philanthropist, Tony Onyemaechi Elumelu, on his 58th birthday.

    In a statement by his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Monday, Buhari joined family and friends to rejoice with the entrepreneur, whose interests had continued to create opportunities for growth and development in the country.

    President Buhari commended the economist for his foresight and large-heartedness in setting up the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF).

    He said the foundation had consistently inspired highly talented African youths into entrepreneurship, helped many to acquire business skills, enhanced positive social networks and provided start-up funds, within the larger goal of reducing poverty.

    According to him, Elumelu, who is the Chairman of Heirs Holdings, United Bank for Africa and Transcorp, demonstrates resilience and relentlessness in dream realization, following his antecedents as a young banker.

    He noted that Elumelu saw opportunities in the economy and worked hard to climb the ladder of success, receiving Nigeria’s National Productivity Order of Merit in 2019.

    The president prayed for more wisdom, good health and longer life for the investor as he spreads investments into energy, real estate, agribusiness, health care and hospitality, creating more opportunities in the real sector.