Tony Elumelu Commits To Tackling Global Hunger And Driving Youth Employment

During the much-anticipated UNGA79, world leaders, policymakers, industry giants, and celebrities gathered in New York City for a special celebration hosted by the United Bank for Africa (UBA) PLC.

The event marked two significant milestones: the 40th anniversary of UBA’s USA branch and the 75th anniversary of the banking group as a whole.

Held at The Pierre, A Taj Hotel in Manhattan, the event, themed “An Evening of Influence and Impact,” took place alongside the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). UBA Group Chairman Tony Elumelu hosted the gathering, which opened with a cocktail hour followed by engaging discussions on Africa’s role in shaping global economic growth, the importance of empowering young entrepreneurs, and the need to transition to sustainable energy.

The evening was not only a celebration of UBA’s legacy but also a recognition of Africa’s growing influence on the world stage. The conversations revolved around the continent’s future and how strategic investments can drive lasting progress. Elumelu emphasized this point, saying, “There is a better way to invest in Africa for a sustainable future that creates value for all.”

In a separate meeting with Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, Elumelu underscored the importance of strengthening ties between Africa and the Caribbean. “Young people in the Caribbean, like those in Africa, need economic opportunities and hope. They are resilient, innovative, and hardworking. We must focus on empowering them because they are the future of our regions,” he said.

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The UBA Chairman also participated in a roundtable lunch at the Clinton Global Initiative alongside former U.S. President Bill Clinton. The session, titled “Speed and Scale: Achieving Climate Targets,” focused on the pressing need for innovative approaches to meet climate goals while promoting sustainable development.

The evening reflected UBA’s longstanding commitment to financial inclusion and its vision for a more prosperous, connected, and sustainable Africa.

At the World Food Program (WFP) reception, Elumelu joined WFP Executive Director, Cindy McCain, to call for urgent collaboration to tackle the global hunger crisis.

Emphasizing shared responsibility to support the 733 million people facing food insecurity, Elumelu said success in business cannot be realized, if people are hungry.

According to Elumelu, the outings at UNGA79 were targeted at convening global leaders to talk about the three things that are important to him – “transformative economic growth for Africa so that we can eradicate poverty and create prosperity for all; making sure we create employment for our young ones.

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