The chairman of UBA Group, Mr. Tony Elumelu has donated $500, 000 (about N181, 039, 692.41m) to the victims of mudslide in Sierra Leone.
Elumelu, who is also the founder of Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), made the donation on Wednesday, August 23 when he paid a state visit to Sierra Leone to commiserate with the Sierra Leoneans on the loss caused by the August 14 devastating mudslide and floods that claimed hundreds of lives and destroyed properties.
Elumelu, in the company of former President of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo and Sierra Leonean President Ernest Bai Koroma, visited some of the survivors at the Connaught Hospital in Freetown upon arrival in the country.
He donated $250,000 on behalf of the TEF and another $250,000 on behalf of staff, management and directors of UBA.
In his speech, Elumelu called on the world and African private sector to support the rehabilitation and relief efforts in that country.
“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.”
“We have on our hands a humanitarian disaster of high proportion. 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,” he said.
He assured that UBA would continue to stand steadfastly with the Sierra Leoneans during the period.
“UBA will continue to play its role in helping small and medium scale enterprises, and women, especially from the affected areas, to enable them to rebuild their economic lives,” he added.
In his remarks, Koroma commended Elumelu’s for the support to the country in the time of need.
“In you, we have a brother and someone we can rely on. You have always provided us with support. 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 UBA and the TEF provided us with great support. And now again, you have come to support us,” said the president.
