Akokwa':s Day of Glory in Lagos

 Akokwa's Day of Glory In Lagos

By Ingram Osigwe 

The venue was exquisite. The ambience was cosy. And the event is gay and grand. Indeed,  Saturday,  February 17th,  2024 was a day to remember. It was a day the ancient kingdom of Akokwa was honoured and beamed live to the world, through the instrumentality of one of its illustrious sons,  Chief Celestine Ebubeogu ( Ide Akokwa),  Chairman, Tiger Foods Industries Limited,  makers of the finest brands of food spices.

Term it Akokwa's Day of Glory and you won't be wrong for that was indeed what it was at the Eko Hotels and Suites, the venue of the 21st Sun Newspaper Awards where Chief Ebubeogu was conferred with the Sun Newspaper Industrialist of the Year Award. The Award was in recognition of Chief Ebubeogu's contributions to industrialization and job creation in the country via Tiger Foods' massive backward integration policy and broadening of its marketing and production frontiers.

As Ide's citation was being read, heads bowed in awe, mouths murmured in appreciation and hands clapped in admiration: Right there at the Eko Hotel and Suites, amidst pomp and pageantry and in the full glee of live TV cameras beamed around the world, Akokwa was described as a land of patriotic industrialists and job creators who have done so much to provide employment to unemployed Nigerians. 

Chief Ebubeogu who was unavoidably absent and was represented by Tiger Foods Managing Director,  Don Ebubeogu,  shared the Award category with two industrialists namely former Minister for Industry and Master Energy boss, Dr Uche Samson Ogah and Chief James Uzuh(Omeiheukwu),  Chairman,  J - Jumac  International Company Ltd.

In his speech,  the elated Chief Ebubeogu thanked consumers ofe Tiger Foods brands for their loyalty and patronage over the years;  he also expressed immense gratitude to the Sun Newspapers for the Award,  noteing that the honour would go a long way to spur him to do more for humanity and Nigeria.

In a show of strength, conviviality and brotherhood hundreds of eminent sons and daughters of Akokwa across Nigeria emptied into the Eko Hotel and Suites to celebrate and rejoice with one of their own.

Some of them include  Principal Partner, Maple Partnership law firm, Barr Oke

y Muomalu, Chairman Panda Hotel & Suites Lagos , Chief Willie Obi, CEO Golden Destiny Hotel Chain Lagos , Chief Isreal Orjiekwe, Chairman, Koil Nig Ltd, Chief Luke Okeke,

Chairman, U Frank Nig Ltd, Chief Uche Offor, MD, Full page Comm Ltd, Chief Ingram Osigwe and CEO Mega Maritime Services Chief Ifeanyi Ikejiaku among numerous others. 

Similarly, friends of Ide Akokwa from neighouring towns came in solidarity. 

Such was Chief Abraham Ikechukwu Otti( Mighty Mighty), an Umuchu,  Anambra state born and Port harcourt based businessman &  philanthropist. 

Incorporated over two decades ago as Spices Manufacturing Company,  Tiger Foods,  with Ebubeogu's strategic managerial skill, has not only cemented its status as a driving force in the food industry but has also set an unparalleled standard of excellence and innovation in the industry.

Industry watchers opine that Tiger Foods has soared higher, even beyond the imagination of the founders. With strategic vision, Tiger Foods has successfully grown into a prominent and respected brand within the food industry and among consumers.

It's worth mentioning that Tiger Foods sources most of its raw materials locally thus proudly producing made-in-Nigeria brands.

The company has a robust backward Integration Program spanning the length and breadth of Nigeria which has ensured that it now boasts of a processing capacity of 10,000 Metric tons of raw material annually.

The darling of consumers, Tiger Foods' products, widely circulate in many African countries where they are exported. 

Beyond Africa, the company is now on the cusp of opening new frontiers in the USA and UK following hot demands.

A galaxy of other Awardees and guests who graced the colourful Sun Awards include the President/CEO of Pwan Group Dr Jayne Onwumere who received the Sun Investor Of The Year Award alongside other top dignitaries from sectors of the economy like Aliko Dangote (Dangote Group), Innocent Chukwuma (Innoson Motors), Tony Elumelu (UBA Bank).

Other awardees and guests include Peter Mbah (Governor of Enugu State), Dapo Abiodun (Governor of Ogun State), Mohammed Yahaya (Governor of Gombe State), Olufolake Abdulrazaq (First Lady of Kwara State), Peter Obi (LP Presidential Candidate), HRM Obama Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojájá II (Ooni of Ife), His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III (Olu of Warri), Uma Ukpai (founder/President) Uma Ukpai Evangelical Association), Femi Bakre (MD/CEO Parallex Bank), Moruf Oseni (MD/CEO Wema Bank), Gbenga Komofe (MD/CEO Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission), Adaora Umeoji (Deputy Managing Director Zenith Bank), Pharm Uche Nwana, CEO, Sylken Nig Ltd, Lady Adaeze Chukwudozie, Vice Chairman of the Dozzy Group, Ngozi Ezeonu (Nollywood Actress) and a host of others

Ingram Osigwe, The CEO, Full Page Comm Ltd.

Leading By Example: Tony Elumelu's Leadership Principles By Tony Elumelu

 

Opinion Piece

Leading By Example: Tony Elumelu’s Leadership Principles (By Tony Elumelu)

A good leader must lead by example and practice what they preach, this demonstrates integrity, it builds trust and respect

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LAGOS, Nigeria, October 19, 2023/ -- By Tony Elumelu People often ask me, TOE how do I learn leadership. Should I go on a course? Buy a book? Get a mentor? Are leaders born, or can you become a leader? Just as I say about business success, leadership has many components – luck, being in the right place at the right time. But I also believe that those talents and those disciplines that you bring, creating a vision and the resilience and focus that delivers that vision, can also forge your own personal leadership. I was fortunate to work with Chief Ebitimi Banigo, at the start of my career. My leadership philosophy was built working with him. It started with Chief Banigo taking the time to read my application letter and giving me a chance to prove myself at Allstates Trust Bank in 1988. When my colleagues tell me today, “TOE you respond too fast to our emails”, I laugh because I learnt from the master himself – Chief Banigo. When I sent memos to him, he would respond within twenty-four hours; therefore, why should I not respond even faster in this age of technology? These are some of the leadership values I learnt from my time with Chief Banigo, and I practise them all today. Leaders must demand excellence: Only by going the extra mile and pushing ourselves, will we truly develop and standout. Hard work and excellence made my bosses Toyin Akin-Johnson and Ebitimi Banigo notice, and subsequently, believe in me. At twenty-seven, I went from being a trainee to being a boss, when I was appointed a branch manager – the youngest bank branch manager at that time.  All the things I learned earlier came into play, and I continued learning. Good leaders find in people, what people did not know they possess – Leaders recognise the talent in their team and then push to unlock the talent. When I work, I work to achieve my goals, but I also work to unlock my teams’ skills. I know everyone I work with has huge potential – for me my success is also about the success of others, growing and nurturing their talent, that is the foundation of our growth at Heirs Holdings Group. This focus on talent, teams, personal transformation, is why I am so insistent on creating institutions, cultures, and pathways, where human capital can thrive. It is why I am an investor in businesses, but also entrepreneurs across Africa. Leaders must walk their talk - A leader must be consistent. People want to trust a leader that they believe has integrity. Leadership is not just about telling people what to do, it's also about setting an example. A good leader must lead by example and practice what they preach, this demonstrates integrity, it builds trust and respect. Leaders must impart knowledge: I benefitted from the mentorship of Chief Banigo at Allstates Trust Bank. He helped me to develop my strategic thinking, my frames of reference and to channel my ideas into concrete actions, so that when the moment of opportunity arrived, at the age of thirty-four, I had the self-belief to gather a small group together to take over and revive a failing bank – take that enormous step, that is still shaping an industry and a continent today. Today, when I am faced with an impossible situation, I ask myself, ‘What Would Chief Banigo Do?’. I worked with Chief Banigo from 1988 - 1995, till this day, he is the one I turn to, when I need advice. #Leadership #TOEWay Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA). SOURCE United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA)

First NFT on Dr. Tony Elumelu, CFR

I am producing the first NFTs on the most outstanding Nigerian Achievers and other outstanding achievers in the world I call nation builders and optimists of visionary leadership. 

You can see all my NFTs on https://nftmyimage.com/@nigeriadaily

These are the frst NFTs and NFT Series ever done on outstanding Nigerians by a Nigerian artist and writer on the blockchain

I have done the NFTs in Fine Arts photography. 

The art photos are available to Dr. Tony Elumelu to frame them for art decor for his office and residence.

NFTs last longer than photos, videos and films that are not on the blockchain. 

The NFTs will be in the decentralized InterPlanetary File System.

The rotating cube can be screensavers and the cube of his portrait can be made into any size for tables, reception homes, offices and buildings from 1ft square to 50ft square.

Dr  Anthony Onyemaechi Elumelu, MFR,CON, CFR (born 22 March 1963) is a Nigerian economist, and philanthropist. He chairs Heirs Holdings, Transcorp and is the Founder of The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

Following his retirement from the  United Bank for Africa in 2010, Elumelu founded The Tony Elumelu Foundation. The Tony Elumelu Foundation promotes entrepreneurship in Africa. The Tony Elumelu Foundation’s belief that the private sector’s role is critical for Africa’s development is hinged on the economic philosophy of Africapitalism, which was introduced by Elumelu; "that the African private sector has the power to transform the continent through long-term investments, creating both economic prosperity and social wealth.

In 2015, Elumelu committed US$100 million to create 10,000 entrepreneurs across Africa over the next 10 years through the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme - a Pan-African entrepreneurship initiative designed to empower African entrepreneurs through a multi-year programme of training, funding, and mentoring.

Awards and honours:

Elumelu has received recognition and praise for his contributions to business and entrepreneurship.

In 2003, the Federal Government of Nigeria granted Elumelu the title of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic MFR, a national honour.

In 2012, he was awarded the National Honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger CON for his service in promoting private enterprise.

He was awarded the Daily Times, Nigerian man of the year in 2016.

In 2018 and 2019 he was awarded the All-Africa Business Leaders Awards (AABLA) Philanthropist of the Year Award.

Bayero University Kano (BUK) - Honorary Doctor of Business degree in 2019.

He was honored with the National Productivity Order of Merit Award in 2019.

TIME magazine's 100 Most Influential People of 2020.

On 11 October 2022, Elumelu received the National honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic.

 

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Elumelu

UBA Group Expands to EMEA, Launches Banking Operations in Dubai International Financial Centre

Executive Director, Treasury and International Banking, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr. Ndubisi Chiugo; Chief Executive Officer, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Authority, Prince Arif Amiri; Group Chairman, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr. Tony O. Elumelu; Governor, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), His Excellency Essa Kazim; Group Managing Director/CEO, United Bank for Africa (UBA) , Mr. Kennedy Uzoka; and Managing Director, UBA (DIFC), Mr. Vikrant Bhansali, at the official launch of UBA (DIFC), in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), on Thursday
(Source: United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) 

Chief Executive Officer, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Authority, Prince Arif Amiri; Group Chairman, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr. Tony O. Elumelu; Governor, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), His Excellency Essa Kazim; Group Managing Director/CEO, United Bank for Africa (UBA) , Mr. Kennedy Uzoka; and Managing Director, UBA (DIFC Branch), Mr. Vikrant Bhansali, at the official launch of UBA (DIFC Branch), in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), on Thursday
(Source: United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) 

PRESS RELEASE

United Bank for Africa (UBA) Group Expands to EMEA, Launches Banking Operations in Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai

The UBA branch in the DIFC will service corporate & financial Institutions and customers across the Middle East with a core focus on correspondent banking, relationship management and advisory services.

LAGOS, Nigeria, July 18, 2022/ -- The United Bank for Africa (UBA) (www.UBAGroup.com), Africa’s global bank has been in operation for over seven decades. Today, the group is present in 20 African countries, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and France. The bank has extended its operations to the United Arab Emirates with the official launch of its new branch at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

United Bank for Africa Plc (DIFC Branch) will operate under the Category 4 license and will be regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), the financial regulatory agency of the special economic zone, the Dubai International Financial Centre.

The UBA branch in the DIFC will service corporate & financial Institutions and customers across the Middle East with a core focus on correspondent banking, relationship management and advisory services.

Through this new expansion, the UBA Group will be able to harness opportunities in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA), which comprise of 72 countries with an approximate population of 3 billion and a nominal GDP of US$7.7 trillion and thereby, reinforce its strong franchise as Africa’s Global Bank, facilitating trade and capital flows between Africa and the rest of the world.

Speaking during the launch of the new subsidiary in Dubai on Thursday, the Chairman, UBA Group, Mr. Tony O. Elumelu, explained that with the Group’s foray into the Gulf Region, UBA continues to focus on its strategic intent to lead the way when it comes to doing business in Africa. He said “Collaborating with our franchises in 20 African countries and the major financial centres of London, New York and Paris, UBA (DIFC Branch) will facilitate the financing of trade transactions between the Middle East and Africa, enabling trade finance and investments,” Elumelu said.

‘We have been looking forward to this day as it is the first time we will have presence in this part of the world. We know that our international expansion is incomplete if we are not present in the gulf’, he continued.

UBA's Group Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, who also spoke at the event said, “Today, we are formally on four continents across the globe, operating in 24 countries, serving over 35 million customers and still growing.

“We are the only bank with Nigerian origin that has extended out of Nigeria to the UAE. Those before us have come through other locations and that shows the strength and respect the Dubai authorities have for UBA. Our presence in Dubai affirms that UBA is a strong franchise, expanding its reach across the world,” Uzoka said.

“The authorities and business environment here in the DIFC is phenomenal and UBA is seeing Dubai as the gateway for Africa and that is why we are here, to be closer to our clients, to be partnering with them and facilitate businesses and trade flows into Africa through the UBA franchise. So, we are super excited.  

On his part, the CEO, UBA (DFIC), Mr. Vikrant Bhansali, said; “Trade, commerce and Investments in Africa is expanding in the Gulf Region and Asia. Leveraging the presence of UBA Group in global financial centres, UBA (DFIC) will enhance the ability of the group to facilitate access of Gulf investors and banks to African markets. We will finance trade, facilitate commerce and help grow investment in Africa, across all sectors.”

Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Authority, said  during the ribbon cutting ceremony “UBA (DFIC) attests to the strong relationship between Dubai and Africa. It is a beautiful start as we are looking forward to achieving more interaction, channelling more trade and investments into Africa, and with UBA DIFC, we are closer to achieving our objectives. DIFC will continue to seek partnerships that will deliver winning relationships as we have just witnessed with UBA Group.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA).

Contact details:
Omede Odekina
Team Lead, External Relations
Mobile: +234-8162807921
E mail: omede.odekina@ubagroup.com
Website: www.UBAGroup.com

About UBA Group:

United Bank for Africa Plc is a leading Pan-African financial institution, offering banking services to more than thirty-seven million customers across 1,000 business offices and customer touch points in 20 African countries. With presence in New York, London and Paris and now the UAE, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail, commercial and corporate banking, innovative cross-border payments and remittances, trade finance and ancillary banking services.

SOURCE

United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA)