FeaturedHighlight

Sierra Leone Mudslides: Elumelu donates $500,000 to help victims

310

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n one of the largest private donations in Sierra Leone history, Tony Elumelu, Founder of Tony Elumelu Foundation and Chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA), has donated $500,000  to Sierra Leone mudslides and flood victims — the biggest gift for them since the disastrous flood engulfed the country two weeks ago.

Elumelu Thursday paid a state visit to the people and Government of Sierra Leone to commiserate over the great loss caused by devastating mudslides and floods that have claimed hundreds of innocent lives and left many more still missing.

Speaking in solidarity with Sierra Leone, Elumelu charged the world and the African private sector to rally around the ongoing rehabilitation and relief efforts. “For me, the little token we are giving is what it is, little, but symbolic. At a time like this, the world must come together to support the victims of this unfortunate disaster. It is not a situation that one prays to be in, but in the event that it does happen, we should all rally to support one another.”

Elumelu in the company of former President of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo and Sierra Leonean Presiden Ernest Koroma visited some of the survivors at the Connaught Hospital in Freetown upon arrival in the country. Later on at the Sierra Leonean Statehouse, he made a donation of USD$250,000 on behalf of the Tony Elumelu Foundation and another USD$250,000 on behalf of staff, management and Directors of United Bank for Africa (UBA) as emergency aid grants for victims of the mudslides.

Continuing, he urged the rest of the world not to turn a blind eye to Sierra Leone’s plight: “We have on our hands a humanitarian disaster of high proportions. It requires the attention of the entire world. We have buried over 600 lives and many hundreds more are still missing. We must turn the global spotlight on Africa. The world must stand with Africa just as in the past, Africa has stood with the world.”

The UBA Chairman reassured Sierra Leoneans of the Bank’s steadfast support. “United Bank for Africa (UBA) will continue to play its role in helping small and medium scale enterprises, and women, especially from the affected areas, to enable them rebuild their economic lives.

The Sierra Leonean President, moved by this act, commended Elumelu’s unwavering presence in the country’s times of need, stating: “In you we have a brother and someone we can rely on.” He praised the consistency of the Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF). “You have always provided us with support. United Bank for Africa (UBA) was here immediately after the war to provide us with banking services to support our rebuilding efforts. Again, during our fight against Ebola, you were here through the United Bank for Africa (UBA) and the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) and provided us with great support. And now again, you have come to support us.”

Elumelu’s donation will support the victims, some of whom are in hospital needing food, clothing and medicine. The much-needed assistance will also go towards the ongoing recovery efforts and the construction of permanent settlements for the affected persons.

The Sierra Leonean mudlslides is the third catastrophe to devastate the West African country in the past decade.
24.08.2017 (18:45)

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Demolition of Abuja N200bln properties: Restrain Wike, Estate Developers Beg Pres. Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has been urged to intervene in the alleged demolition...

FirstBank’s retired CEO, Adeduntan, gets presidential commendation

Impressed with his exemplary career trajectory and transformative leadership, President Bola Tinubu...

#EndBadGovernance protests: AGF to Police: Transfer casefiles of 72 defendants to my office

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince...

NAGAFF Taps NPA MD, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, as Keynote Speaker for Silver Jubilee Anniversary

The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has announced Dr....

It’s fake news: Fubara did not order shut down of NNPC Ltd, oil companies in Rivers

The Rivers State Government has refuted a report circulating on social media,...

Tinubu to NEC: Allow tax reform bills pass through legislative process, public hearing

President Bola Tinubu has received the National Economic Council’s recommendation that the...

Minister Inspects Bagaja Renewables’ Zawaciki 1MWp Mini-Grid Amid Northern Power Crisis

As northern Nigeria grapples with prolonged power outages, Minister of Power Adelabu...

Just in: Court grants VeryDarkMan N2m bail

Reprieve has come for the detained social media critic, Martins Otse, popularly...

Just in: #EndBadGovernance protest: Teenager collapses in court, forces judge to suspend proceeding

A teenager, one of the 76 people charged before a Federal High...

Keyamo refutes reports of airstrip license revocation for Oyedepo, others

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), has...

Just in: 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters arraigned in Abuja

The detained 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters just arrived at the Federal High Court...

Tax reform bill not targeted at North, to streamline tax administration processes, enhance efficiency – Presidency

The Presidency has clarified the misconceptions about the tax reform of the...

DSS, Police to give security clearance to Abuja drivers from 2025 – Wike, FCT Minister

In a bold move to curtail kidnapping and the ubiquitous ‘one chance’...

Reps step down motion to reverse change of Niger Delta Ministry to Regional Development Ministry

The House of Representatives has failed to consider a motion asking President...

FG holds talks with striking university workers

Four days into the seven-day warning strike, the Federal Government has invited...

Golden Jubilee: Soneye Strikes decisive goal as FS 50 edges Okocha’s FS Legends 2-1

In a thrilling match commemorating Mr. Olufemi Soneye’s 50th birthday, Team FS...

Philanthropist Dr. Kensington Adebutu’s multi-million Naira Media Resource Centre at NIJ, Lagos, Inaugurated

The prestigious Sir (Dr.) Kensington Adebukunola Adebutu Media Resource Centre built by...

Just in: After 10 months in captivity, Kaduna female doctor, Popoola, freed

Ten months after her kidnapping, Kaduna-based medical doctor, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, has...

Just in: Reps to FG: Halt issuance of licence to private airstrips

Citing security reasons, the House of Representatives has moved to stop the...

Breaking: Pres. Tinubu appoints Gen. Oluyede as Acting Chief of Army Staff

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Maj.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede as the Acting Chief...