How Tony Elumelu Celebrated International Women’s Day Mentoring Over 80 African Women
Prominent African businessman and chairman of Pan-African financial institution, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Tony Elumelu has made this year International Women’s Day a spectacular experience for women across Africa.
The definition of successful entrepreneur personally tell the story of how he mentored a group over 80 African women he described as audacious and dynamic in a social media post.
The interactive engagement where he was joined by his wife, Mrs Awele Vivien Elumele and daughter, held on Tuesday, March 8, 2022.
Mr Elemelu’s posted…
What a way to celebrate #IWD22!
On March 8th, I marked #IWD2022 by mentoring a group of over 80 audacious and dynamic African women.
What united us was our commitment to driving change in Africa. I spoke with businesswomen, founders of NGOs, young professionals with fiery ambitions – and from across Africa.
I was so inspired by the achievements, plans and energy of these women – The future is certainly female!
Our conversations are ones I will remember for a long time. I was asked about building a strong business and I spoke from my experience of building UBA Group to the global bank it is now – The importance of a clear vision, that can inspire a team – setting clear, tough, but achievable milestones along the journey to your goal. Hitting those milestones gives you the motivation you need to keep going. I also highlighted what is important to me – assembling the right team, imbibing the right culture, handwork, resilience and governance.
I particularly loved a question on a mistake I made starting out – for me, it was being publicity-shy and not telling our story ourselves. If you don’t tell your own stories – others will do. Misconceptions, once made, take time to correct. As businesses owners and career persons you have to tell your own story – and get it right!
I also got a pleasant surprise – my wife – an entrepreneur in her own right – and daughter joined me on stage as I rounded up our conversation and one thing Mrs TOE said as she addressed the audience stuck – Succeeding in whatever you do as a woman, opens doors for other women. We don’t yet all have the access but do right in your own space and other women will be inspired to do better.
I appreciate all the women who came from far and wide to join the session with me physically or virtually… we will do this again soon!
#MentorshipWithTOE
#TOEWay
