By Tayo Oyediji

United Bank for Africa (UBA) Chairman and Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation, Mr. Tony Elumelu has called for governments and Nigerians at all levels to strive for national unity while investing heavily in youth development and women.

Elumelu who spoke at the ongoing 2023 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference which has its theme as:“Getting it Right, Charting Course of Nigeria’s Nation building’ noted that unity and inclusivity were key elements that will lead Nigeria to greater heights.

According to him ‘’We have come together today united. United with one ambition, one duty – nation building. Yes – United, whatever our backgrounds, geographies, religions, experiences, by a single desire – to ensure that our country experiences a true renaissance.

“Let us approach the task of nation-building with unwavering determination, guided by the principles of unity, inclusivity, and progress’. Let our pursuit of nation-building be characterized by unwavering determination, empathy, and the commitment to create a legacy of progress, unity, and hope for generations to come”.

Elumelu also urged a reawakening of nation-building consciousness amongst Nigerians, pleading with the government at all levels to invest heavily in youth development.

He asserted that nation-building entails a fundamental renewal of the social and economic infrastructure of Nigeria, stating that the country needed to invest heavily in youths, women, the power sector, security, social infrastructure and in brand Nigeria.

Elumelu also noted that “Nation-building, at its core, is the intricate process of forging a cohesive, harmonious, and united society, out of diverse individuals, culture, and ideologies. It is the art of constructing a shared identity, purpose, and vision that transcends all individual interests

.

Elumelu who is also  the Chairman, Heirs Holdings, stated that already, Nigerians have shown their capacity as champions in all spheres of human endeavor and what is needed is our collective will to unite.

In his words “In international leadership positions at the WTO, at the UN, at the African Development Bank, at the Afreximbank, in technology, in music and entertainment, in business, in arts and in media, in film, in sports. Indeed, in virtually every human endeavour, Nigerians excel”. In business, the Nigerian private sector is showing globally our capability, our ingenuity, our institutionalisation.

“We have global businesses with Nigerian origins: Let me name one – UBA, the United Bank for Africa, the only African Bank that operates in the USA as a deposit taking bank. We are now in Dubai, Paris, and London – and just as importantly 20 other countries in Africa – who would have thought 20 years ago, that Nigeria would be home to Africa’s global bank!”

Having achieved these feats, Elumelu said “Transforming Nigeria is a journey that demands our collective dedication, building across political affiliations, ethnic differences, and socioeconomic differences. Great nations start with great people, not just great leaders. Our private sector, our philanthropies, our civil society, all citizens must be brought together and be empowered – as real, valued and executing partners for this national renewal, this nation building. It behoves on us all to collaborate in unity to reset Nigeria.”

Elumelu also harped on the supremacy of the rule of law. Urging the NBA to work assiduously towards achieving a country where the rule of law is upheld. He maintained that, “No country – and no entrepreneur, can truly thrive without the rule of law, without peace, without certainty and fairness – for all – for our young, our old, our women and our men, our future generations.”

As he is passionate about nation building, Elumelu observed that he was not alone “There is no one in this distinguished gathering, that does not want the best for Nigeria. Whether my learned friends of the Bar or our distinguished leaders present. We know the potential of Nigeria.We know the resources, human and natural, that Nigeria has at her disposal.

“It is the art of constructing a shared identity, purpose, and vision that transcends all individual interests. Transforming Nigeria is a journey that demands our collective dedication, building across political affiliations, ethnic differences, and socioeconomic differences. One that is not the responsibility of our government alone.

.So, what does this mean? For me this is nothing less than a fundamental renewal of the social and economic infrastructure of Nigeria. The contract between a nation and its people.

Nation building is not a quick fix, it entails sacrifices. We cannot keep doing the same things and expect different outcomes”.

“Let us lead our nation building, by laying those important foundations for our nation – let us renew our infrastructure. Investment in our youth – we need to renew our commitment to our youth, provide them with the means to succeed in Nigeria – not beyond Nigeria. This means not just investment in our education system, but in our entrepreneurial culture”.

“Nigeria is a nation of entrepreneurs – you know me as an investor and champion of entrepreneurs. Let us create a joined-up government task force to champion at the highest level, our young and our entrepreneurs. When entrepreneurs succeed, we succeed as a nation. If they don’t, we all fail.

“The nurturing of entrepreneurship is not merely an economic endeavour, but a social responsibility. By empowering our youth, supporting start-ups and SMEs, the private sector contributes to equitable wealth distribution, job creation, and social advancement. It paves the way for economic empowerment that uplifts communities and contributes to a more inclusive society. We all owe this to our people, even for our own enlightened self-interest”.

He also called for women to be duly supported to thrive “Nations that prioritise their young go far, Let us invest in our women. When a woman succeeds, families and communities are lifted out of poverty. Let us invest in our power sector, And let us invest in our social infrastructure, in our civil society, our courts of law and our administrators of justice, Let us invest in security, Let us invest in brand Nigeria, Let us invest in Nigeria”