Tolu Elumelu
Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu, has urged young Africans to learn how businesses create wealth and develop the habit of saving and investing, describing financial literacy as a key step towards building prosperity and reducing poverty.
Speaking during the hybrid inaugural ‘Africa Everywhere Festival’ held in Lagos at the weekend, Elumelu said young people should focus on acquiring knowledge, building skills and preparing themselves for future opportunities, noting that true empowerment goes beyond financial assistance.
He said Africa’s future lies in the hands of its youth and encouraged them to dream big, pursue clear career goals and remain committed to achieving them through hard work, discipline and resilience.
According to him, understanding how wealth is created through investment and capital formation is essential to improving individual livelihoods and driving economic growth across the continent.
Elumelu also shared his personal journey, recalling that he aspired to become a banker while in school and pursued the ambition despite not meeting all the academic requirements for his first banking job. He said determination, preparation and persistence helped him secure the opportunity that launched his career.
He advised participants not to let setbacks or temporary failures discourage them, stressing that success comes to those who remain focused, prepared, and willing to seize opportunities when they arise.
He further urged young people to embrace delayed gratification, maintain high ethical standards and contribute positively to society, adding that personal success should go hand in hand with efforts to improve the lives of others and support Africa’s development.
Also speaking, Dr Awele Elumelu said the festival was created to connect talented young Africans with internships, mentorship opportunities and meaningful career prospects.
She described the initiative as a platform designed to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity by providing young people with access to resources, guidance and professional networks. She added that more organisations would be encouraged to support the initiative through internships, mentorship programmes and networking opportunities.
Convener of the event, Oge Elumelu, said the festival grew out of her Africa Everywhere Conversations with Oge podcast, launched in September 2024.
She disclosed that about 7,000 applications were received for the inaugural edition, with 170 candidates shortlisted and nearly 150 participants attending the event.
According to her, 15 partner organisations interviewed participants for 37 internship positions lasting between three and six weeks across different sectors.
She said the initiative aims to improve employability by providing career guidance, workplace exposure, practical
experience, and stronger professional networks, adding that there are plans to expand the festival to other Nigerian cities and major African capitals, including Accra, Nairobi, Johannesburg, and Cairo.
Acting Managing Director, Emerging Africa Capital Advisory Limited, Toni Sanni, urged participants to remain confident and authentic, stressing that they had earned their place and should allow the quality of their work to define them rather than seeking validation from others.
The Guardian
