Per Second News, an online news platforms, on Wednesday honoured foremost philanthropists, Mr.Tony Elumelu for empowering a generation of young entrepreneurs, who are expected to drive Africa’s economic and social transformation.
Mr Elumelu, Chairman/Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) was honoured with the ‘2017 Philanthropist Award’ by the organisation.
Others honoured along with Mr. Elumelu were Maraym & Yakubu Foundation and Dreams From The Slum Initiative.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Femi Soneye, publisher of PSN said Elumelu and the others over the years demonstrated initiative and leadership qualities that stood them out using their talents, treasures and time in a very strategic way.
“Philanthropy is dependent on the interest, passion, commitment, generosity and foresight of leaders like those we have honoured today. Never has such leadership been more important,” Mr. Soneye said, at the ceremony attended by top executive in the political, financial and media sectors.
Soneye mainted that the works of philanthropist play a critical role in effecting real systemic change in the society.
Receiving the award, Elumelu restated his commitment to identifying, training, mentoring and funding 10,000 young African entrepreneurs in 10 years and creating one million jobs in the process.
According to him, in 2017, TEF selected 1,000 entrepreneurs across 54 countries in African for the year’s edition of the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme (TEEP), which was the third in the 10-year $100 million programme.
“The selected entrepreneurs, over the course of the nine months were mentored, trained and they used the skills acquired to develop a business plan, following which they were eligible to receive up to $10,000 in seed capital. After three cycles, the TEEP, being the only African-funded business development initiative of its kind, has received 158,000 applications from African entrepreneurs in 107 countries including every nation of Africa, empowering 3,000 businesses with 12weeks of online training, world-class mentoring, access to TEF’s network start-ups and seed capital of $5,000,” he said.
He declared: “We must take advantage of our demographic dividend, millions of young people who are ready to make a change. We must welcome this new generation of new ideas and we must democratize access to opportunity for all.”
Elumelu commended PSN for recognizing the impact TEF has made so far in the society and pledged to do more in his efforts to transform Africa.
The Maryam and Yakubu Foundation, which is based in Kaduna is a private initiative that has since 2013 inaugurated a vocational training programme where men, women and youths are taught skills.
Since inception, over 500 people have graduated from five skills areas including Information and Communication Technology, engineering, catering and event management, fashion and commercial agriculture.
The Dream From The Slum Initiative was honoured for helping to get children in Ajegunle, Lagos off the slum and back to school.
