The world needs people like us — Elumelu, as he receives Time100 impact awards

Africa’s leading philanthropist and founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Tony O. Elumelu, was on Monday honored with the Time100 impact awards by TIME magazine.

Elumelu, who is also the Group Chairman, UBA, was recognized for his track record of investment in human potential, driven by his belief that Africa is a continent of opportunities, and also his economic empowerment of young Africans.

In his remarks, the philanthropist urged people to help in any way possible in economically empowering others, as he called on the world to prioritize humanity.

He said: “The world is in need of people like us more than ever before. We should pull resources together, we should commit now to help in any way possible in economically empowering others.

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“That is what will give all of us the things that we desire, and create the inclusiveness that we want in the world today.

“In the 21st century, there is so much poverty, sickness, exclusiveness and bitterness in the world. I’m calling on the world to prioritize humanity.”

Sharing his story of how the Tony Elumelu Foundation was launched in 2010, the entrepreneur said: “My wife and I started the Tony Elumelu Foundation to help create significant opportunities and economic hope for others.

“At Tony Elumelu Foundation, through the $100million support for the foundation, we are today helping to capitalize economic opportunities and redefine how all of us need to work together to uplift through the message of entrepreneurship.”

Persecondnews reports that the Tony Elumelu Foundation has given $5,000 to each of the 15,000 young entrepreneurs from 54 African countries as part of its effort to grow the entrepreneurial spirit in Africa and encourage economic development.