The Tony Elumelu Foundation has won a prestigious award at the 60th Annual Appeal of Conscience Awards in New York.
The award recognises the Tony Elumelu Foundation’s efforts in empowering a generation of young African entrepreneurs with economic opportunities and the means to shape their own destinies.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Awele Elumelu, Co-Founder of TEF conveyed Mr. Elumelu’s gratitude and heartfelt words, highlighting his commitment to transforming lives across Africa through his philosophy of Africapitalism.
She expressed gratitude for the award, acknowledging its alignment with Tony’s values and the legacy of the Foundation and Rabbi Arthur Schneier.
In a somber moment, she honored the memory of six colleagues who recently lost their lives in a tragic incident, emphasizing the deep sense of loss felt across their community.
Dr. Elumelu spoke passionately about her husband’s commitment to uplifting lives across Africa through the philosophy of Africapitalism, which highlights the powerful role of the private sector in community well-being.
She shared Tony’s journey, marked by determination and a belief in Africa’s vast potential, noting the success of his businesses which employ over 40,000 people globally, including the United Bank for Africa in New York.
Highlighting the impact of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, she revealed that it has invested over $100 million in seed funding for more than 24,000 young African entrepreneurs, providing them with the tools to shape their futures and combat issues such as economic instability and migration.
Dr. Elumelu emphasised the ongoing need for collaboration among those who share similar values and acknowledged the importance of collective efforts in addressing global challenges.
She extended her appreciation to Cardinal Timothy Dolan for his leadership, Rabbi Schneier for his visionary work, and her friend Maurice Levy for the recognition.
Finally, she dedicated the award to the thousands of Africapitalists across the continent, as well as her family, whose unwavering support serves as a source of strength.
Dr. Elumelu however expressing gratitude for the honor and reaffirming their shared commitment to building a prosperous future for Africa and beyond.