President felicitates with Tony Elumelu at 55

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday congratulated the Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Mr Tony Elumelu, on his 55th birthday on March 22.

In the statement, the President said he joined the United Bank of Africa (UBA) the Tony Elumelu Foundation, the Elumelu family and all professional colleagues of the economist “in congratulating the consummate banker and successful entrepreneur.’’

Buhari added that Elumelu’s antecedents had continued to inspire both the young and old on the power of ideas, big dreams and hard work.

He commended Elumelu’s diligence, versatility and selflessness “in championing the economic philosophy of Africapitalism.

“Africapitalism is a call to action on the need to grow businesses that cater for African interests, support governments and bottom-up development within the continent by discouraging long term dependence on donor countries and philanthropic organisations.”

President Buhari said he believed the entrepreneur’s greatest investment had been in the development of people and communities.

According to him, this is clearly evident in the Tony Elumelu Foundation which started with scholarships and fellowships, and now trains a new generation of business leaders across the continent.

He prayed that the almighty God would grant Elumelu longer life, more ideas and renewed vigour to pursue his dream of making life better for others.

Born in Jos in 1963, Elumelu hails from Onicha-Ukwu in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta .

He obtained a bachelor’s degree in economics from Ambrose Alli University and a master of science degree from University of Lagos and an alumnus of Harvard Business School‘s Advanced Management Programme.

Elumelu, a former member of House of Representatives was named as one of Africa`s 20 Most Powerful People by Forbes Magazine.

The economist, entrepreneur and philanthropist had been responsible for creating businesses across the continent and in sectors critical to Africa’s economic development, where he founded Heirs Holdings, an African investment holding company in 2010.