I have just heard, not very exclusively, that super investor Mr Femi Otedola hosted savvy businessman and impact Investor Tony Elumelu in his Abu Dabi home just this last night.
Immediately I heard, I rushed to X the platform that I know Mr Otedola really frequents and low and behold a picture of both of them greeted me
I looked very closely at this picture – Tony in a black t-shirt and Mr Otedola in a brown kaftan which is unusual and came to one major realisation
With these two men working together, the economic renaissance of our country would be on a sure footing
Both men are on the Presidential Advisory Committee; both men play in almost the same sectors – Finance, power to mention a few, and both men are two of the biggest philanthropists of all time.
Mr Otedola’s role in philanthropy one can safely say remains unmatched in size, reach and depth while Mr Elumelu’s work in impact investment reverberates globally
In recent times, Mr Otedola has positioned himself as a sort of crusader, moving very aggressively through our financial systems upturning established structures and uprooting powerful blocs in a self-appointed role of breathing fresh energies into some of these institutions
His efforts, especially with FBN Holdings, are beginning to yield fruits with the kinds of results the Group has just announced, which can be placed directly on the doorsteps of the far-reaching reforms put in place under his chairmanship.
His major coup remains the snatching of my brother Wale Oyedeji who today is seen as one of the most brilliant and astute bankers in the land
Wale’s emergence as Group Managing Director of the Group has brought stability and a seamless transition from vision to execution, placing it firmly on the path of riotous growth.
Mr Elumelu on the other hand has built an enviable international career that has seen him hobnob in global corridors of power, a uniquely differentiating positioning for an African
Coming from a class of Bank CEOs who lost their jobs through the Sanusi tsunami, Tony can be said to have made good.
To the best of my knowledge, he only in that class has built a world-class career, spooling out strong forays into areas hitherto not known for
His real claim to fame is the beautiful work he is doing with the Tony Elumelu Foundation
Using that platform, he has bred entrepreneurs continent-wide, supporting capacity building and entrenching very strong ethos into a new army of young African business leaders who in turn are taking the message to the grassroots
It is no wonder that Tony is a constant fixture at global economic events where he is given marquee positions as global issues are being discussed
Nigeria will gain more with these two together than apart
The combined energy, clarity, and vision-driven capacity would go a long way in fostering significant private sector-led growth in the country.
Mr Otedola’s decision to host Mr Elemelu must be acclaimed for what it is – a stretching out of a hand by a brother to another for the betterment of our economic life as a Nation.
This was a good one. Well done guys
Duke of Shomolu
Last modified: February 14, 2025
