Gabonese President Honours Tony Elumelu with National Award for Championing African Development.

The President of the Republic of Gabon, His Excellency, General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, has conferred the nation’s honours – the Commander in the National Order of Gabonese Merit – on the Group Chairman, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc and Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Mr. Tony Elumelu.

The distinguished award recognises Elumelu’s enduring contribution to Africa’s economic development, particularly his impact on youth entrepreneurship and infrastructure growth in Gabon and across the continent.

Speaking at the presidential palace while presenting the recognition in Libreville on Monday, Nguema, who was on Saturday sworn in as the newly elected President of the oil-rich country, praised Elumelu’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable development in Africa, adding that ‘Tony Elumelu is not only a visionary entrepreneur but also a committed friend of our nation Gabon. Through his Foundation and the UBA Group, he has consistently shown that investing in Africa is not just good business – it is the key to our shared future. Today, we honour a man whose actions continue to empower young Africans and inspire nations.”

While acknowledging the recognition, Elumelu, who has made several high-level visits to Gabon in recent months, expressed deep gratitude for the recognition and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the country’s development agenda:

“I am truly humbled by this honour. It is a reflection not just of my personal journey, but of a shared belief – that African-led solutions, African entrepreneurs, and African institutions will shape the future of this continent. Gabon holds enormous potential, and I am proud that the Tony Elumelu Foundation and UBA Group can play a role in unlocking it,” Elumelu said.

“This is more than a medal – it is a reminder of what we can achieve together as Africans,” Elumelu stated adding that, “At UBA and the Tony Elumelu Foundation, we remain committed to building bridges, not just between nations, but between ambition and opportunity.”

The recognition comes at a crucial time for Gabon, as the country accelerates its economic recovery and prioritises inclusive growth under the new leadership.

Elumelu’s engagement focuses on two key pillars of Infrastructure financing which is essential for long-term economic transformation and Youth entrepreneurship, championed through the Tony Elumelu Foundation, which offers training, mentorship, and $5,000 in non-refundable seed capital to young Gabonese and African entrepreneurs each year.

The award also highlights the strengthening of financial partnership between Gabon and the UBA, which has a strong presence across the continent and is a key driver of financial inclusion and development.

Elumelu is the Founder and Chairman of Heirs Holdings, his family owned investment company committed to improving lives and transforming Africa, through long-term investments in strategic sectors of the African economy, including financial services, hospitality, power, energy, technology and healthcare.

He is the Chairman of pan-African financial services group, the United Bank for Africa (UBA), which operates in 20 countries across Africa, the United Kingdom, France, the UAE and is the only African bank with a commercial deposit taking presence in the United States. UBA provides corporate, commercial, SME and consumer banking services to more than 35 million customers globally. He also chairs Nigeria’s largest quoted conglomerate, Transcorp whose subsidiaries include Transcorp Power, one of the leading producers of electricity in Nigeria and Transcorp Hotels Plc, Nigeria’s foremost hospitality brand.

Tony is the most prominent champion of entrepreneurship in Africa. In 2010, he created The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), the leading philanthropy, empowering a new generation of African entrepreneurs, catalysing economic growth, driving poverty eradication and driving job creation across all 54 African countries. Since inception, the Foundation’s flagship programme has identified and catalysed 18,500 entrepreneurs and created a digital ecosystem of over one million Africans, as part of a ten-year US$100m commitment to fund, mentor and train young Africans.

Tony’s businesses and the Foundation are inspired by his economic philosophy of Africapitalism, which positions the private sector, and most importantly entrepreneurs, as the catalyst for the social and economic development of the African continent.

In 2020, in recognition of his business leadership and economic empowerment of young African entrepreneurs, Tony was named in the TIME100 Most Influential People in the World, and recognised with Belgium’s oldest royal order.

Arcadia Event Space Launches in Surulere, Expanding G51 Group’s Hospitality Footprint

In a significant addition to the hospitality and events landscape in Lagos, the renowned G51 Group has officially unveiled its latest venture, Arcadia Event Space, located at 51 Akerele Road, Surulere. The grand opening took place on Friday, May 2, 2025, and was officiated by the distinguished Lagos State House of Assembly member representing Surulere Constituency 1, Hon. Desmond Elliot.

The Arcadia Event Space is a state-of-the-art facility meticulously designed to host a wide range of events, including corporate meetings, wedding receptions, birthday celebrations, conferences, and more. With elegant interiors, modern amenities, and versatile layouts, Arcadia is set to become a preferred destination for premium gatherings in the heart of Surulere.

Speaking at the launch, Abbey Azaka Ekpeti, CEO of G51 Group, shared the vision behind the expansion:
“This is just one of the many ways we continue to add value to our community. At G51, we are passionate about hospitality and lifestyle. Arcadia Event Space complements our existing portfolio, which includes G51 Hotel Fashoro Surulere, G51 Pub Lounge, G51 Club, and G51 Apartments in Akoko. We’re committed to providing top-tier services that exceed expectations.”

The G51 Group has built a strong reputation for excellence in hospitality, entertainment, and lifestyle services, offering a unique blend of comfort, style, and customer satisfaction. With the addition of Arcadia Event Space, the Group reaffirms its commitment to quality and innovation in service delivery.

Residents of Surulere and surrounding areas are encouraged to explore the new venue for their upcoming events. Arcadia offers customizable packages tailored to meet the specific needs of clients, ensuring a seamless and memorable experience.

For bookings and inquiries, please contact:
0818 585 8254 or 0812 533 6785

Freedom At Last : Apeke Dynasty Foundation Secured The Release of Female Inmate in Prison

Apeke Dynasty Foundation went on an outreach program to kirikiri Correctional Facility as part of her ongoing mission to promote humanitarian service, health support, and social reintegration for underserved individuals.

The team began with a comprehensive medical outreach for inmates. The activities included:
—Health checkups and consultations.
—Distribution of essential medications.
—Personal health counseling and education.

This initiative was aimed at addressing immediate medical concerns and ensuring better hygiene and health awareness among the inmates.

After the medical sessions, the foundation team engaged with several inmates, listened to their stories, and offered words of encouragement. Notably:
-We met a female inmate whose case was brought to our attention by another individual with a more severe case.
-Upon calling her for clarification, she narrated her ordeal; a minor civil misunderstanding involving a misplaced phone and missing money, which led to her incarceration.

Moved by the circumstances of the female inmate, the Foundation took the following steps:
—Contacted a lawyer associated with the case.
—Held a constructive conversation with him to understand the legal steps already taken and those required to secure her release.
—The lawyer agreed to handle the matter pro bono, a gesture we deeply appreciated.
we followed up with the legal process by visiting the court and ensuring all necessary documents and payments were handled swiftly.
Thanks to the swift collaboration between the Foundation, the legal representative, and correctional authorities:
—The female inmate was discharged from custody.
—She has since reunited with her family.
—The Foundation also showed appreciation to the lawyer for offering his services free of charge.

Apeke Dynasty Foundation expresses heartfelt gratitude to:
—The entire outreach team for their selfless service.
—The volunteer medical professionals.
—The legal personnel who supported the cause.
—All donors and supporters who made the outreach possible.

This intervention reflects the core values of the Apeke Dynasty Foundation : compassion, justice, and empowerment. We remain committed to restoring dignity to the underserved and will continue to extend our reach to those who need hope the most.