On sidelines of 79th UNGA: Global dignitaries fete UBA America@40, UBA Group at 75.

This was during a high-level cocktail reception the UBA Group organised on the sidelines of the 79^th United Nations General Assembly, UNGA, in New York, USA.

UBA Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, who led the feast also used the dual celebrations to engage world leaders on shaping Africa’s future in a fast-changing world.

Among the high-profile leaders at the cocktail were: Queen Maxima of the Netherlands; His Excellency Carlos Vila Nova, President of São Tomé and Principe; His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana; His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone; General Brice Oligui Nguema, Transition President of Gabon.

Other personalities at the event from Nigeria were; Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Dangote  Group;  Governor Mohammed Umaru Baggo of Niger State; Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State; Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs; Okey Benedict Oramah, President of the African Export-Import Bank Afreximbank and  Wiebe Boer, Chief Executive Officer, CEO, All On.

The UBA team at the ceremony comprised; UBA Group Managing Director, GMD, Oliver Alawuba; Biola Bawuah, Chief Executive Officer, CEO, UBA Africa; Sola Yomi Ajayi, CEO of UBA International; and Bolla Atta, UBA Group Director for Corporate Communications alongside others.

Other personalities who also lived the event were: Genevieve Nnaji, Nollywood veteran actress, Mo Abudu, Founder of Ebony Life Group; Dr Ernest Ndukwe, Chairman of MTN Nigeria Plc and Tobe Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services Officer, MTN Nigeria Communications. Superstar, musician, Davido, entertained the invitees.

Pushing for Africa’s transformative growth

Speaking at the event, UBA Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, talked stakeholders into buying the vision of working for the transformative growth of Africa.

He said such is needed so that collectively, “we can eradicate poverty and create prosperity for all; Making sure we create employment for our young ones”.

The UBA Group Chairman was emphatic that: “We need to stop wasting our talents on the continent”, before underscoring the need for discussions “about equitable energy transition that is beneficial for Africa”.

UBA Group Chair engages policymakers, world leaders 

Prior to the evening of celebrations, the UBA Group Chairman had held talks with other leaders at the 79th United Nations General Assembly.

Such discussions with policymakers and world leaders to advance progress in synergy. He underscored the need for deliberate and impactful investment to give Africa a place of pride going forward. Creating value for everyone across Africa, he said, is non-negotiable.

Tony Elumelu and the UBA team also held talks with Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Honourable Andrew Holness. Interest was on the need to focus on enhancing partnerships between the Caribbean and Africa.

The UBA Group Chairman remarked during the meeting that: “The young people in the Caribbean, just as those in Africa, need the same economic opportunity and hope as their peers elsewhere in the world”. 

Going by him, young people across these two geographical zones are, “resilient, creative, hardworking and innovative” insisting that: “We must prioritise and empower our young entrepreneurs because they are the lifeblood of our regions”.

Engagement with former US President, others

To also note that the UBA Group Chairman held discussions with Also former US President, Bill Clinton. 

This was during the Clinton Global Initiative Executive Roundtable lunch on: “Speed and Scale: Achieving Climate Targets”.

Tony Elumelu like others used the opportunity to emphasise the urgent need for innovative solutions to climate goals while fostering sustainable development.

He also joined the World Food Programme, WFP, Executive Director, Cindy McCain, at a reception. Elumelu joined voices at the occasion to crusade urgent action against global hunger and food insecurity.

The UBA Group Chairman underscored that there cannot be success in business if people are hungry. He talked of UBA’s commitment to “support the 733 million people facing food insecurity”.

He also had a separate meeting with the Transition President of Gabon, General Brice Oligui Nguema of Gabon. During the audience, Elumelu called for corporation in improving opportunities, powering innovation and revealing the potential of Africa for its next generation of businesspersons.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3247 of Wednesday October 02, 2024