Following the August 14 unprecedented disaster, Tony
Elumelu, Founder of Tony Elumelu Foundation and Chairman of United Bank for
Africa (UBA), yesterday, Wednesday 23 August, paid a state visit to the people
and Government of Sierra Leone to commiserate over the great loss caused by
devastating mudslides and floods that have claimed hundreds of innocent lives
and left many more still missing.
Elumelu in the company of former President of Nigeria
Olusegun Obasanjo and Sierra Leonean President Ernest Koroma visited some of
the survivors at the Connaught Hospital in Freetown upon arrival in the
country. Later on at the Sierra Leonean Statehouse, he made a donation of
USD$250,000 on behalf of the Tony Elumelu Foundation and another USD$250,000 on
behalf of staff, management and Directors of United Bank for Africa (UBA) as
emergency aid grants for victims of the mudslides.
Speaking in solidarity with Sierra Leone, Elumelu charged
the world and the African private sector to rally around the ongoing
rehabilitation and relief efforts. “For me, the little token we are giving is
what it is, little, but symbolic. At a time like this, the world must come
together to support the victims of this unfortunate disaster. It is not a
situation that one prays to be in, but in the event that it does happen, we
should all rally to support one another.”
Continuing, he urged the rest of the world not to turn a
blind eye to Sierra Leone’s plight: “We have on our hands a humanitarian
disaster of high proportions. It requires the attention of the entire world. We
have buried over 600 lives and many hundreds more are still missing. We must
turn the global spotlight on Africa. The world must stand with Africa just as
in the past, Africa has stood with the world.”
The UBA Chairman reassured Sierra Leoneans of the Bank’s
steadfast support. “United Bank for Africa (UBA) will continue to play its role
in helping small and medium scale enterprises, and women, especially from the
affected areas, to enable them rebuild their economic lives.
The Sierra Leonean President, moved by this act,
commended Elumelu’s unwavering presence in the country’s times of need,
stating: “In you we have a brother and someone we can rely on.” He praised the
consistency of the Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF). “You have
always provided us with support. United Bank for Africa (UBA) was here
immediately after the war to provide us with banking services to support our
rebuilding efforts. Again, during our fight against Ebola, you were here
through the United Bank for Africa (UBA) and the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF)
and provided us with great support. And now again, you have come to support
us.”
Elumelu’s donation will support the victims, some of whom
are in hospital needing food, clothing and medicine. The much-needed assistance
will also go towards the ongoing recovery efforts and the construction of
permanent settlements for the affected persons.
The Sierra Leonean mudlslides is the third catastrophe to
devastate the West African country in the past two decades.
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