Tony Elumelu recognised for leadership in business and philanthropy
New York, 21 September 2013 – On the eve of his departure to New York, where he will be speaking at the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (UN MDG) Success Event and the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Annual Meeting, the UK based publishers of African Business Magazine announced that global business leader Tony O. Elumelu, CON, has been selected as the winner of the African Business Icon Award.
Now in its 6th year, the awards which took place yesterday at the Mandarin Oriental in New York, celebrates the outstanding achievements of businesses and business leaders. Elumelu was praised for his “vision and exemplary achievements” and was commended for his role in ‘Africa’s improved reputation today’.
“It is a great honour to be given the title of ‘African Icon’ and it is extremely encouraging to be recognised for delivering on a mission for which I am passionate”, said Elumelu, who is Chairman of the proprietary pan-African investment company, Heirs Holdings, and founder of The Tony Elumelu Foundation. “This award is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of the group of talented and equally passionate Africapitalists with whom I work. The award recognises the role we are all playing in creating jobs, driving prosperity and ultimately transforming the lives of ordinary Africans through the investments and philanthropic interventions we are making.”
Elumelu will also receive the Leadership Award in Business and Philanthropy from the Africa-America Institute (AAI) at a gala dinner on the 25 September in front of an audience that will include, among others, the Presidents of Nigeria, H.E. Goodluck Jonathan, Ghana, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, Tanzania, H.E. Jakaya Kikwete, and H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chair of the African Union Commission.
At the high-profile CGI event, Elumelu will share the stage with Bill Gates and at the UN MDG Success Event with Mo Ibrahim and Strive Masiyiwa. He will be the keynote at a Liberian philanthropy event organised by President Ellen Sirleaf Johnson and will participate in a panel discussion on investment at the Harvard Club, with the Nigerian Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Aliko Dangote and James Mwangi of Equity Bank.
Elumelu will also join the Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan as one of two private sector leaders asked to ring the bell with the President at the New York Stock Exchange.
Speaking about his numerous speaking engagements, Elumelu commented; “These platforms provide me with the opportunity to drive the African agenda. I plan to share my thoughts on the more strategic and focused type of philanthropy I believe Africa needs and the work that we do in that field through the Tony Elumelu foundation. I will also talk about Africapitalism, a private sector-led African development plan which I believe will create economic prosperity and social wealth for all on the continent.”
