Nigeria’s emergent global business leader Tony O. Elumelu, has emerged winner of the African Business Icon Award organised by African Business magazine, UK.

At the awards, which took place on September 20 at the Mandarin Oriental in New York, USA, 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 September 25 in front of an audience that will include, among others, the Presidents of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan; Ghana, John Dramani Mahama; Tanzania, Jakaya Kikwete; and 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.

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.”

•Photo shows Elumelu.

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