Tony Elumelu on The Platform

Tony Elumelu and ThankGod Okorisha at the World Economic Forum on Africa 2016 in Kigali

One of the highpoints of my participation at the 2016 World Economic Forum on Africa, Kigali, Rwanda, was this exclusive conversation I had with one of Africa’s richest men, Tony O. Elumelu, who is also building the next generation of champions on the African continent. 

Tony is an economist by training, a visionary entrepreneur and a philanthropist. He is the Chairman of Heirs Holdings, the United Bank for Africa, Transcorp and founder of The Tony Elumelu Foundation. Elumelu holds the Nigerian national honours, the Commander of the Order of Nigeria (CON) and Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR). In 2011, New African magazine listed him as one of the 100 most influential people in Africa, and a year later, he was recognised as one of "Africa's 20 Most Powerful People in 2012" by Forbes Magazine. 

He told me about the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme (TEEP), and his passion to support young entrepreneurs and startups in Africa. 

Listen or download the full conversation on The Platform Podcast or read a summarized transcript below.

Isreal Bimpe On The Platform

Isreal Bimpe is the first Black President of Pharmacy Students all over the world, an organisation that has existed for over 62 years. He is passionate about Global Health and Social Justice, with a keen interest on strengthening health systems and Health Policies.

He steps on The Platform and we discussed his plans as the first Black African Pharmacy Student President.

Gabriel .A. Gomez On The Platform

Gabriel A.Gomez is an enterprising young man from Gambia, he is the Manager Finance and Administration at Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA). He is a Chartered Certified Accountant.

He supervises all aspects of Finance function, Management Accounts, Budget, Annual Financial Statement, Audit Engagement, Fixed Assets, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Petty Cash management, Bank Reconciliation etc.

Gabriel is the founder of GAM MINDS FOUNDATION. He steps on The Platform and we discussed his contribution as a youth to make his community in Gambia a better place for all.

Simotwo Faith Zainabu On The Platform

Faith Simotwo Zainabu is an African from Kenya, She is the current ambassador of GIRL RISING AFRICA, an organisation that uses storytelling and other forms of literature to inspire action that gets girls into classroom. She has been able to spearhead fundraising for girls in her community.

At only 21, Simotwo is also a Mentor Coordinator at Kakenya Centre for Excellence, a centre focused on serving the most vulnerable underprivileged Maasai girls. And she is the founder of Africa Girl Voice.

She steps on The Platform to share her story and we also talked about the SDGs.

Claire Onzee on The Platform

Claire Onzee is from the Western part of Kenya. She is the founder of Vizoneer Investment Limited a purchasing and supply company in Kenya. She holds a Degree in Business Administration Marketing option at Kenya Methodist University, She holds a Diploma in Purchasing and Supplies Management at Kenya Institute of Management, currently pursuing an ICT alongside Youth Empowerment programmes at African Center For Women and ICT. Claire is the Chief Executive Officer Pan African Conglomerate, she is passionate about writing, she has been involved in writing Newspaper articles, talk points, short takes and opinion counts to Kenyan local dealies. 

She steps on The Platform and we discussed her Youth Dialogue Cafe, SDGs, and her new appointment as the Chief Executive Officer of Pan African Conglomerate. 

Chinelo Dilimono on The Platform

Chinelo Dilimono is a Music Minister, Recording Artiste, a Teacher of God's Word, an Author, an Entrepreneur, Radio Host, Co-Pastor of The Place of Grace, she is the current Chairman of Fellowship of Gospel Music Ministers of Nigeria (FOGMMON) Rivers State Chapter, Vice President of Elect Ladies Int'l. She has featured on 700 Club and also worked with CBN Africa in some of her video production.

She steps on The Platform and shared with me her passion for the work of God and how she has practically expressed that passion. 

Sinazo Didiza on The Platform

Sinazo Didiza is an Advocate for Females' Reproductive Health Rights, she's the founder of Sexual Health Rights and Advocacy Foundation. Sinazo is the Youth Center Program Coordinator at LoveLife, she's currently studying for her Master's Degree in Social Work at the University of Fart Hare, and she recently completed a six-weeks Mandela Washington Fellowship in Civic Leadership At Arizona State University in the USA.

She steps on The Platform to tell us about her experience in social work, her Mandela-Washington Fellowship experience and her meeting with Dr Lin Fan Wang. 

Jude Chisom Erondu on The Platform

Jude Erondu Chisom is a social activist, and senior year undergraduate honors student at Green Mountain College, in Vermont, studying Sustainable Business with a minor in Environmental Policy.

Jude has continued to stand out among his peers on campus by initiating pro-active solutions to problems affecting students' academic and personal success. He has so far held numerous student leadership positions including, member, College Judicial Review Board (2013-2014), Director of Civic Engagement, College Students Senate and Students body President for the 2014/2015 academic year.

Jude has also been a delegate at the Millennium Campus Conference and the AIESEC Youth Action Summit which both held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. He steps on The Platform to tell us about his passion to promote global education which he sees as a tool for the eradication of global hunger and poverty.