Peterside Hails Elumelu for His Recognition by Time Magazine

Peterside Hails Elumelu for His Recognition by Time Magazine

Peter Uzoho

Former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside, has congratulated the Founder of Tony Elumelu Foundation and Chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Mr. Tony Elumelu, on his recognition by Time International Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People In The World.

Peterside in a congratulatory message yesterday, said the recognition was a fitting testimony and badge of honour for a man, who has devoted his time, resources, being and comfort towards raising hundreds, if not thousands of entrepreneurs across the African continent.

He said it was unarguable that there had never been any initiative, policy or action across the continent that had challenged African entrepreneurs the way and manner the Tony Elumelu Foundation had touched lives, with reverberating effects that would endure for generations.

He described Elumelu as the biggest success story in the Nigerian banking industry having taken the then nascent Standard Trust Bank to challenge the biggest names in the industry, culminating to an audacious merger with the United Bank for Africa (UBA).

According to Perterside, “This merger saw Elumelu to the top echelons of corporate banking in Nigeria and Africa. The footprints he left in Nigeria’s banking sector is yet to be matched.

“His recognition by the much-revered Time International Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People In The World is a fitting testimony and badge of honour for a man who has devoted his time, resources, being and comfort towards raising hundreds if not thousands of entrepreneurs across the African continent

“It is unarguable that there has never been any initiative, policy or action across the continent that has challenged African entrepreneurs the way and manner the Tony Elumelu Foundation* has touched lives, with reverberating effects that will endure for generations.”

He said whilst many countries were still struggling to have a breakthrough in a sustainable trajectory that could utilize the abundance of talents that straddle every corner of the continent, Tony’s profound and deepening challenge to young Africans would in the nearest future, blossom to produce thinking and creative generations.

He said with interests that cut across power generation, healthcare, hospitality, and banking, Tony Elumelu continued to represent fresh frontiers, full of opportunities but available to only those who dare to chart a new course and brace the odds to succeed.

Peterside added: “Being a Leadership Development Professional and a Turnaround Manager myself, I appreciate the enormous work Tony Elumelu has done in raising a new generation of entrepreneurs across Africa

“This recognition will undoubtedly bolster his determination to alter the course of emerging Africa’s generations for the better and place them on a pedestal of prosperity, service to humanity, and above all, provide leadership for the continent. He is championing a new Africa that will take a prideful position in the comity of continents.

“In the words of Sonia Johnson: “We must remember that one determined person can make a significant difference, and that a small group of determined people can change the course of history.

“Congratulations to Africa’s shining star.”

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